A new era as barristers stump-up the funds for litigation … Traditional relationship with solicitors turned on its head … Bleak times prompt changed behaviour … Turf wars COMMENT: I notice there is a corresponding increase in the number of unrepresented litigants before our Courts. Is there a message here for learned Counsel?

Quo vadis Soapy Brandis? … Eleven names scratched by CJ from Queensland silks list … Prosecutors dominate NSW Dizzo appointments … Farewell to Equity Queen  COMMENT: The person who claims that politicians do not influence the judiciary, lives in a vacuum of unreality. COMMENT: Edelman is one smart cookie, I look forward to reading his judgments. COMMENT: The lovely Paddy Bergin joins an illustrious Alma Mata of honorary doctorates from Macquarie, including NSW Police Chief Andrew Scipione and his Deputy Catherine Burn.

Lawyer makes “incomprehensible” claim of hours worked in a rush to get a full practising certificate … Finding of professional misconduct upheld … Solicitor swore he packed two years of supervised practice into seven months … 17.5 hours a day … Failed defamation case against Legal Services Commissioner … Naaman Zhou reports 

Santa George Brandis has been liberally handing out pre-Xmas judicial and tribunal jobs … The solicitor general vacancy also filled … Dr Stephen O’Donaghue, the quiet man of the moment … Party hacks to the AAT 

Tassie law shop pays its respects to departed Castro … Federal Court upheaval … Melbourne law dinner boycott … Inspector Dave accused of conflicts … Brandis’ denials become inoperative

Brandis in strife again … Caught up in post-truth politics … The solicitor general did the AG a favour … Timeline that shows how Soapy weaved and wavered before protecting “the interests of the Commonwealth” … New senate inquiry to probe pork-pies  

ICAC’s Megan Latham is in the pantheon of heroes who have been under fire from governments for doing their jobs too well and too independently … She joins Justin Gleeson and Gillian Triggs in the heroes’ mausoleum … Responses from various sources to the Baird government’s scuttling of ICAC’s inquisitorial process … And, while we’re at it, where are the Cunneen tapes?  

Guns and child porn see SA criminal lawyer banished … Litany of professional breaches … Plus, solicitor who didn’t pass on barrister’s fees struck off the jam roll by tribunal … The Court of Appeal smiled kindly and put him back on … Naaman Zhou reports