Australia

Franchising Law Firm Applies the Concept to Itself

A law firm in Melbourne, Australia, that focuses on franchise law has decided to practice what it preaches. The firm, Franchise Legal, is franchising its name to a Sydney law firm, ALB Legal News reports. Franchise Legal founder Ilya Furman told ALB that after the Sydney operation is well-established he…

Jul 22, 2010 4:05 PM CDT

Australian Band Ordered to Pay 5% of Royalties for Copying ‘Kookaburra’ in 1980s Hit

An Australian judge has ordered the band Men at Work to pay royalties to a music publisher for copying ”Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree” in a hit song from the 1980s. Larrikin Music had sought 60 percent of the royalties from the song “Down Under,” but was awarded…

Jul 6, 2010 11:38 AM CDT

Lawyer, Other Execs, Board of Mining Co. Killed in Plane Crash

A New York lawyer serving as a corporate secretary for Sundance Resources was killed in a plane crash in Africa over the weekend, along with other executives, the mining magnate who owned the company and its entire board. The Sundance group was among 11 passengers and crew members on a…

Jun 22, 2010 6:34 PM CDT

Australian Man Ordered to Jail for Blowing Bubble Gum in Court

An Australian man has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for blowing a bubble as he chewed his gum during a court hearing. Mirza Zukanovic of Melbourne disclosed his choice of gum—it’s Hubba Bubba—in an exclusive interview with the Herald Sun. Zukanovic said he meant no disrespect and he…

Jun 18, 2010 2:23 PM CDT

Law Firm Adds Muslim Imam to Roster as Adviser on Shariah Law

In a move that is being billed as the first of its kind in Australia, a Melbourne law firm is putting a Muslim imam on its roster as a consultant on shariah law. This will allow Logie-Smith Lanyon to draft documents and resolve issues in matters ranging from commercial contracts…

May 10, 2010 4:47 PM CDT

In What May Be a Worldwide First, Genderless Person Is ID’d in Australia

Born biologically male, Norrie May-Welby, now 48, had a sex-change operation and became female 20 years ago. Now May-Welby has broken new ground and become a person legally recognized as having an unspecified gender, in what may be a world first, the Telegraph reports. As the Scavenger apparently first reported…

Mar 16, 2010 7:35 PM CDT

Owner Is Threatened with Cruelty Case After Taking Injured Puppy from Vet

It didn’t look good initially either for a New Zealand man or his injured puppy. Bronson Stewart and his family couldn’t afford to treat their 5-month-old dog, Buck, whose leg was broken when he was hit by a car two weeks ago. And when a veterinarian refused to return the…

Feb 10, 2010 7:38 PM CST

Allen & Overy Plants Office in Australia, Snags 14 Partners From Local Firm

Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy has announced it will open offices in Sydney and Perth next month, with 17 new partners who will focus on mining and natural resources merger work. “Our decision to launch in Australia underlines the increasing importance of Australia in the global and Asia-Pacific economies,”…

Feb 8, 2010 12:24 PM CST

ISP Not Liable for Customers’ Illegally Downloaded Movies, Court Rules

In a movie-downloading case that observers say could help set global industry policy, an Internet service provider in Australia has been held not liable for the activities of its customers even though the court found there was illegal file-sharing on a “large scale.” Top Hollywood studios had sought to win…

Feb 4, 2010 9:17 PM CST

Court Says ‘Down Under’ Hit from 1980s Copied ‘Kookaburra’

An Australian judge has ruled the 1980s song “Down Under” by the band Men at Work copies a song written more than 70 years ago, “Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree.” Federal Court Justice Peter Jacobson said the flute melody in the Men at Work song “replicates in material…

Feb 4, 2010 2:56 PM CST

Oral Testimony May Be Obsolete in 15 Years, Top Judge Warns

A top judge in the United Kingdom is calling for courts to consider whether oral testimony is becoming obsolete as the younger generation increasingly relies on the Internet to communicate. In 15 years, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales predicted this week, it may be necessary to present…

Oct 21, 2009 11:50 PM CDT

This Week on LegalRebels.com

Profiled on LegalRebels.com this week were: Charles Nesson: Post-It-All Prof If he doesn’t have the right answers, that’s OK with Charles Nesson. In fact, many say the legendary eccentric—a proud pot smoker who loves poker, almost always records everything and has taught at Harvard Law School for more than 30…

Oct 21, 2009 4:50 PM CDT

UK & Australia Firms Mull Megamergers to Amp Up in Asia

A planned 2010 merger of London-based Norton Rose with Australia’s Deacons law firm is giving their competitors on both continents considerable food for thought. Together, the Norton Rose-Deacons combination will have some 1,500 lawyers, but the major import of the planned merger is the head start it could provide for…

Oct 7, 2009 10:54 PM CDT

Fired Over Office E-Mail, Accountant Wins $17K and Wants More

Accountant Vicki Walker’s e-mail may indeed have contributed to disharmony in the workplace, as her employer claimed. But her block capitals, use of boldface and colored type and alleged “confrontational” attempts to find out about complaints made against her didn’t establish sufficient grounds to warrant her termination, a New Zealand…

Sep 1, 2009 6:59 PM CDT

Australian Tax Law Threatens Full Merger of Norton Rose, Deacons

Norton Rose partners voted this week to merge with Australia’s Deacons, a move that would dramatically extend the reach of the London-based firm. But the deal faces a significant hurdle that could prevent the full financial integration of the firms. Norton Rose chief executive Peter Martyr told the Australian that…

Jun 26, 2009 2:44 PM CDT