‘Utterly disgraceful’: new federal court rules limiting access to documents criticised by media union

While the court says rules are designed to protect respondents from early reporting of allegations, MEAA president says decision ‘goes against the concept of open court’

Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

New federal court rules barring media from accessing documents until the first directions hearing have been labelled “utterly disgraceful” and a breach of the concept of “open” justice.

Enacted in mid-December by federal court judges without consulting the media and published on the gazette Thursday, the rules appear designed to protect respondents against reporting of allegations at the earliest stages of a case.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading…

Read More

Law (Australia) | The Guardian