Lavan Legal’s Media, Defamation and Privacy Team led by partner Nick Stagg was part of the legal team that has secured a Supreme Court ruling on WA’s shield laws, which is being hailed by commentators today as an important win for all Australian journalists.
Gina Rinehart’s private company, Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd, took legal action against Lavan Legal client West Australian Newspapers, and its Gold Walkley winning reporter, Steve Pennells, in early 2012, demanding they produce documents under subpoena in connection with stories the media outlet published about son, John Hancock. The subpoena effectively sought information regarding the reporter’s confidential sources in producing the media stories.
In a judgment handed down on Tuesday, 6 August, Supreme Court of WA Justice Janine Pritchard ruled that the subpoenas be set aside, except as to documents which contain information already in the public domain, and so not confidential in any event. Insofar as the application of WA’s new so called “shield laws” are concerned, her Honour found that the subpoenas in this particular case were oppressive and an abuse of process.
"We have struggled for a long time to get to this point, to get journalist sources respected and protected and the fact that the WA Supreme Court today has ruled the way it has is a great day for us," said West Australian editor Brett McCarthy.
“This is the first win for the press under the new shield laws and, importantly too in our democratic society, a source of confidence for gutsy whistleblowers and confidential sources in the community who keep things in check,” Mr Stagg said.
But the case isn’t over just yet. Justice Pritchard will consider a foreshadowed application by Hancock Prospecting to reopen the subpoena case at a directions hearing next month.
New partner in Lavan Legal’s Recovery, Insolvency and Reconstruction Team
Lavan Legal is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Abberton as a partner in Lavan Legal’s Recovery, Insolvency and Reconstruction Team within the Commercial Advice and Litigation Group commencing Monday, 1 April 2013.
Joe joined Lavan Legal as an articled clerk in 2007. Since then, Joe has specialised in insolvency and reconstruction and has worked primarily in advising lenders and insolvency practitioners across all aspects of secured recoveries, receiverships, liquidations and administrations. Joe also specialises in corporate litigation and has provided advice to various listed companies including mining entities.
CEDA’s Transport Infrastructure Challenges for WA Series, Moving People
Lavan Legal partner Peter Beekink today chaired the third and final part of CEDA’s Transport Infrastructure Challenges for WA Series, Moving People.
Speaking at the lunch were Reece Waldock, Director General of the Department of Transport WA; Paul Reed, Regional Director Western Australia of Parsons Brinckerhoff; Professor Peter Newman, Director of the Curtin Sustainability Policy Institute of Curtin University and Brad Geatches, Chief Executive Officer of Perth Airport.
The lunch provided interesting views on the challenges facings Perth’s transport infrastructure, the strain on the public transport system and how our road network can be adapted to cope with the additional 400,000 cars which are expected in the next 10 years.
Over 270 people attended the lunch.
Lavan Legal partner Tony Chong named a WA Business News’ 40under40 Award winner!
Partner Tony Chong was announced as a winner of the 2013 WA Business News’ 40under40 Awards last night.
This annual Award recognises Western Australia’s leading business men and women under the age of 40. Winners are determined on the basis of their entrepreneurial and business achievements. The judging process is exhaustive. Entries are reviewed by a panel of 21 judges including KPMG national head of restructuring Matt Woods, Channel Seven Perth managing director Mario D’Orazio and Wesfarmers non-executive director Diane Smith-Gander.
Tony’s well deserved win was awarded for his achievements in being appointed group leader of Lavan Legal’s corporate services divison in November 2012 and for his work at Griffin Energy where he oversaw the construction of the Emu Downs wind farm and the Bluewaters coal fired power station. At Griffin, Tony also led a team in 2008 to raise and syndicate more than $1.1 billion worldwide for the Bluewaters project – identified as Australia’s project finance deal of the year by Project Finance magazine.
Please see the attached article about Tony’s achievements.
2013 Lavan legal Charity Challenge
Congratulations to The West Australian who won this years’ Lavan Legal Charity Challenge with the amazing time of 4.22.15.
Last years’ winners, the Bondi Vet and Rescue Team, made second place this year with the time 5.01.05.
Congratulations also to the two Lavan Legal teams headed up by managing partner Dean Hely and partner Nick Stagg on completing the swim.
Please see the full list of results below plus photos from the event.
Rottnest Channel Swim Lavan Legal Charity Challenge breakfast briefing
On Thursday, 7 February 2013 Lavan Legal hosted the annual breakfast briefing for participants in the Lavan Legal Charity Challenge category of the HBF Rottnest Channel Swim. Narelda Jacobs from Network Ten was MC.
Part of the entry fee paid by each Lavan Legal Charity Challenge team is donated to a charity of the team’s choice. The Starlight Children’s Foundation is one of the recommended recipient charities for the event, along with the Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue Group and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
At this morning’s breakfast, Lavan Legal partner Iain Freeman had the honour of presenting a cheque for $5200, being the amount donated by Lavan Legal Charity Challenge teams, to Starlight. This money will provide 140 children with access to Starlight’s in-hospital programs at Princess Margaret Hospital. Lavan Legal has a longstanding relationship with Starlight. Partner Peter Beekink is on the advisory board of Starlight’s WA division.
Dean Hely moves to the role of Managing Partner.
The Lavan Legal Christmas Kombi for The Salvation Army
For the past three years Lavan Legal has given a van to The Salvos at Christmas.
This year, we are launching the Lavan Legal Christmas Kombi for The Salvation Army.
From Monday, 10 December 2012 to Sunday, 23 December 2012 our Kombi will collect non-perishable food donations at metropolitan shopping centres.
From all of us at Lavan Legal we wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and a joyful New Year.
Management Moves at Lavan Legal
We are very proud to announce that Dean Hely will be appointed Managing Partner of Lavan Legal from 1 February 2013.
Current Managing Partner Greg Gaunt will move to the new role as Executive Chairman.
Dan Mossenson will become Emeritus Partner from 1 January 2013.
For more information please see a letter from Greg Gaunt below together with the announcement.
