Freshfields is sick of Gen Z lawyers who can’t hack the BigLaw life. The UK firm is rolling out “resilience” workshops for Gen Z after a solicitor quit a few weeks in. Sessions include demonstrations on how to survive partner feedback and how to cut stress before difficult calls. The move comes as juniors test London law’s limits, after burnout exits at DLA Piper: RollOnFriday, Point Blank

⚖️ Enforceability: The Queensland Court of Appeal has confirmed that a person can still be legally bound by a document even if they did not receive or read all of its pages before signing. The Court upheld guarantees signed by company directors who had only been given the execution pages. While this was accepted on the evidence, the Court held the guarantees were enforceable. The signed pages clearly identified the documents as guarantees, referred to the underlying credit contract, and recorded that the guarantors would be liable if the borrower defaulted. The absence of fraud, misrepresentation or duress, the failure to see or read the full terms did not prevent the guarantees from being enforceable, and the appeal was dismissed: Bennett & Philip Lawyers

⚖️ Class Actions: The Federal Court recently approved a $110 million settlement of the shareholder class action against BHP Group Limited arising from alleged misleading disclosures and omissions before the 2015 Brazilian mine and dam collapse. The settlement was reached on a no-admissions basis, with no order as to costs. The Court approved deductions of $55 million for legal costs, disbursements and funding expenses — leaving 50% for applicants and registered group members — and made a common fund order so costs are shared pro rata across both funded and unfunded group members.

⚖️ Practice: The Attorney-General has issued Legal Services Directions 2025, which is a fairly meaty 75-page document, setting out the mandatory standards for top performance of Commonwealth legal work. These commence on 2 March 2026.

Former RBA boss Bernie Fraser has gone nuclear on Donald Trump, branding him a “f…ing idiot” for threatening Fed chair Jerome Powell. The trigger, subpoenas over a $2.5bn Fed HQ reno, which has widely been seen as political pressure for the slow rate cuts. Global central bankers, including Michele Bullock, have closed ranks, warning that meddling with rate independence is a dangerous game with inflation and credibility: The Australian

Tom Silvagni has lodged an appeal against his rape conviction, after being jailed for 6 years, 2 months over an assault in 2024. The judge said the offence involved “planning, cunning and strategy”, with no remorse shown. Silvagni, son of AFL great Stephen Silvagni, must serve 3 years, 3 months before parole while the appeal runs: TDA

😬 ASX IPOs have stumbled into 2026, with Unity Metals flatlining on debut and late-2025 floats like Carma, Epiminder and Saluda still underwater. Fundies say rate jitters spooked sentiment, but hope easing inflation revives appetite. Resources remain the bright spot, while bigger names like Firmus, I-MED and Greencross are waiting for clearer skies: AFR

🙅 BlueScope has doubled down on its takeover defence with a $1-a-share special dividend, returning $438m as it stares down SGH and Steel Dynamics. Four bids have already been knocked back. The payout now drags the latest $30 bid to $29, lifting the pressure on suitors to come back meaningfully higher. HSF Kramer is advising BlueScope: Capital Brief