CJ Bell doubles down on AI ban

UK trials AI to predict crimes

Clutz poaches PE partner

Middlesex Law Chambers in the UK signed up thousands of asylum seekers and pocketed £1.7m in legal aid last year—despite having only five solicitors. That meant a caseload of 164 per lawyer, more than 8x the typical limit. The Legal Aid Agency has now axed the firm, but for some, it came too late. One former client said he translated his own evidence on Google and now has “grey hair” from the ordeal: The Guardian

After two decades at Allens, senior M&A partner Mark Malinas is jumping to Clayton Utz to head up its private equity team. Malinas co-led PE at Allens, sat on its board for 10 years, and brings deep experience in buyouts, exits and cross-border M&A. Clutz says the move sharpens its edge amid a boom in private capital flows: Clayton Utz

Everyone’s on the AI bandwagon - except CJ Bell. The Chief Justice says AI risks have only grown since the NSW Supreme Court’s GenAI ban came into effect in Feb. Speaking to the Australian Bar Association, Bell made it clear he’s not afraid to crack the whip - courts can refer lawyers to the LPB, make adverse cost orders or even make findings of contempt: Lawyers Weekly

The NSW Supreme Court has clarified that when a contract is wholly in writing, the Courts will not factor in post-contractual conduct when settling the question of who is party to the contract. In a dispute over renovations to a Killara property, Mr Bak argued the building contract was with him personally, not his company JM World. But the Court found the written terms, including JM World being named as “Owner” were decisive. Post-contractual evidence, like invoices issued to Bak, couldn’t change the contract’s legal effect. The case reaffirms that party identity is fixed at execution of a written contract. Post-contract behaviour may show admissions, but won’t rewrite who’s bound.

Australia has passed major reforms to the Payment Systems (Regulation) Act. The reforms expand the current definitions of “payment systems” beyond systems that just circulate traditional money, now extending to systems covering digital assets, closed-loop systems and new payment tech. By redefining “payment system”, the framework now captures wallets, stablecoins and other emerging players. The changes also introduce a civil penalty regime and enforceable undertakings, alongside higher criminal penalties. For fintechs and platforms like Circle and Stripe entering the market, the message is clear: the regulation has caught up: Piper Alderman

Retailers, take note. The $9m penalty against Webjet is a blunt reminder that the ACCC won’t tolerate half-truth pricing. Webjet’s ‘from $X’ fares hid compulsory fees worth up to $55 per booking, with those fees generating 36% of its revenue. Retailers should expect tougher scrutiny and ensure all pricing is upfront across websites, emails and socials. The case also shows the value of early cooperation with the ACCC - Webjet’s admissions likely softened the blow. The message is simple: if your advertised price isn’t the full price, you’re on shaky ground: Holding Redlich

The UK is using AI for good - to stop crimes before they happen. They’re trialling AI video check-ins for offenders, who’ll log in on their phones alongside GPS tags and probation visits. The system uses facial recognition and behaviour quizzes, with any lies or cheats triggering an instant alert to probation officers. It’s billed as a crackdown on reoffending by spotting risks before crimes occur: Legal Cheek

Here’s a throwback to constitutional law. AG Michelle Rowland’s lawyers flagged that election pledges like $16m for an Eden-Monaro pool or $1.5m for Chisholm changerooms may be unconstitutional, since the Constitution gives no power to fund local ovals, BBQs or pools. Prof Anne Twomey says billions may already sit on shaky ground… AFR

A US judge found Trump’s HR office illegally told agencies to fire thousands of new federal workers, exceeding its authority. Unfortunately for those fired workers, the ruling doesn’t reinstate staff. Agencies must instead amend records to show workers weren’t sacked for misconduct: Bloomberg

Rokt: is in talks with ASIC and the ASX about a groundbreaking dual listing on Nasdaq and the ASX under one prospectus. The $7.2bn software giant, co-founded by Bruce Buchanan, could become the first company to float in both markets simultaneously, a move aimed at keeping Aussie tech champions from fleeing offshore: AFR

The Lawyer: has been sold by Centaur Media to Legal Benchmarking Group for £43m, a tidy 16x operating profit multiple. LBG provides practice area research and insights for global law, tax and advisory firms. Skadden and Shoosmiths steered the deal, due to close in October: The Lawyer

Armani: is up for grabs. Giorgio Armani’s will directs heirs to sell a 15% stake in the fashion house within 18 months, and up to 54.9% within five years – or pursue an IPO. Priority buyers include LVMH, L’Oréal and EssilorLuxottica. The foundation and Armani’s partner retain 70% voting power, ensuring control even as rivals circle: Reuters

Woodside has locked in final approval to extend its North West Shelf gas project to 2070, after Environment Minister Murray Watt signed off with 48 conditions. Critics say it’s a climate betrayal. The Greens slammed it as a recipe for “more pollution than all coal stations combined”, while Greenpeace called the plan “grotesque”: Capital Brief

Banjima traditional owners say they have “serious concerns” over Hancock Prospecting’s Mulga Downs project, citing water use, environmental impact and the discovery of a 45,000-year-old rock shelter and rock art panels. Hancock has already downsized the mine from 20mtpa to 12mtpa, but consent is still withheld: AFR

Treasurer Jim Chalmers personally phoned Nuno Matos after the ANZ chief unveiled plans to axe 4500 staff and contractors. The finance sector is already in the pits, with 7000 jobs culled this year alone. The FSU says ANZ breached its EBA by keeping staff in the dark and is weighing Fair Work action: The Australian

Meanwhile, there’s no shortage of finance jobs in the UK. The UK government says US financial giants will pump US$1.7bn into the UK ahead of Trump’s state visit. That’s expected to create 1800 jobs. BofA will open in Belfast with 1000 jobs, Citi is sinking £1.1b into UK ops, and S&P Global is adding 200 roles in Manchester: Reuters

If you needed a reminder of how inadequate your salary probably is, Virgin’s annual report shows ex-CEO Jayne Hrdlicka walked with a $50m payout, tied to Bain’s IPO-linked equity plan. She pockets $20.1m in salary, bonus and termination, plus $30m in shares at the $2.90 float price. Her haul eclipses Alan Joyce’s $14.4m exit: The Australian

Cerberus and Arrow Capital Partners are offloading a six-asset industrial portfolio across QLD and NSW with a price tag north of $520m. Tenants include Australia Post, Toll and Northline, with vacancy rates in Sydney and Brisbane at just 3.9%. Brokers say the sale signals a rebound in industrial property: AFR

At Berlin’s IFA showcase, Samsung pitched “invisible AI”—tech that works quietly in the background, not front and centre. “AI will be working for the consumer rather than the other way around,” said Samsung’s Eric Chou. AI will learns from your habits, like health data from wearables or how often you open the fridge: The Australian

Elon Musk’s xAI has laid off about 500 workers — a third of its data annotation team — as it pivots from “generalist AI tutors” to specialists. Staff were told by email that the shift would “take effect immediately,” just days after some senior leaders had their Slack accounts deactivated. The move marks a major overhaul in how xAI trains its chatbot Grok: Business Insider