Latest news with #legalcareer
South China Morning Post
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Miss Hong Kong Pageant loses another contestant over career conflicts
A barrister has withdrawn from the Miss Hong Kong Pageant, citing conflicts with her legal career among a number of reasons, while organising broadcaster TVB has said it 'respected' her decision. In a post on social media, Kimberlie Chu wrote: 'Farewell Miss Hong Kong! I've withdrawn!' Chu, who also took part in the contest in 2021 but was eliminated at the top 28 stage, said she had received many positive messages from friends since signing up again this year. She is the second notable contestant to drop out of this year's pageant, after Hong Kong's youngest district councillor, 24-year-old Angel Chong Nga-ting, withdrew last month following controversy over her participation as a serving public representative. Chu added she was 'incredibly grateful' for her friends' support and the attention from the media. A TVB spokeswoman said on Friday that it 'fully respected' Chu's decision to prioritise her legal career. 'Decisions like these are deeply personal and often require considerable thought,' she said.
ABC News
09-07-2025
- ABC News
Former NT Supreme Court judge accused of sexual harassment in NT anti-discrimination complaint
A former Northern Territory judge is facing accusations of sexual harassment from a former associate, who claims he suggested they go to a concert together and "share a bed to save money". The associate and the former judge cannot be identified for legal reasons. A redacted letter, written by a delegate from the NT Anti-Discrimination Commission, shows the NT government unsuccessfully tried to have the complaint dismissed by arguing it fell outside the 12-month statutory time limit. But in the letter, obtained by the ABC, the delegate said the commission had accepted the associate's sexual harassment complaint "out of time", noting it was a matter of public interest. Through her lawyers at Maurice Blackburn, the associate alleges the former judicial officer took photos of her without consent, directed her to attend social functions with him outside of work hours, and made inappropriate comments about her. The alleged inappropriate comments included asking whether she "liked having massages", commenting about her appearance, and suggesting the pair travel to see a concert and "share a bed to save money". Maurice Blackburn said the experience led the associate to walk away from a career in law. "The experience devastated the associate, who abandoned her legal career and required treatment for the psychological impact of her experience at the court," the law firm said in a statement. Maurice Blackburn alleges that the woman was told to speak directly to the judge involved and report back if the harassment worsened, after she complained to another judicial officer. "The judicial officer said one option was to 'swap' [the complainant] with a male associate," the statement said. The associate has lodged a complaint against the former judge, two other "senior officers", the NT government and the Commissioner for Public Employment. Her lawyers say through her claim, she is seeking an apology for the harassment and discrimination she endured, and damages for injury, distress and the loss of her legal career. Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer Josh Bornstein said the complainant did not seek any redress until 2020, when she heard several women had taken legal action against former High Court Justice Dyson Heydon for sexually harassing them. "It's very common in cases of sexual harassment — particularly in cases of sexual harassment allegations against judges — for young women not to feel they can come forward at the time," he said. "Courts and tribunals are recognising increasingly that there are good reasons why women who experience sexual harassment don't bring claims against very powerful individuals straight after the event." The NT Anti-Discrimination Commission delegate's redacted letter said an internal investigation in the NT Attorney-General's Department had made a "positive finding of sexual harassment, on the available evidence". "The allegations involve the abuse of an immense workplace power imbalance," the letter reads. "The respondents are individuals in whom significant public trust is placed, and they should be expected to act with the highest degree of integrity." Mr Bornstein said experienced public administration expert Vivienne Thom — who investigated complaints of sexual harassment against former Justice Heydon — was tasked with that internal investigation. A publicly available tender notice shows Dr Thom was contracted to provide "Investigator Services" in 2022. Mr Bornstein labelled efforts to dismiss the complaint as "baffling and insulting to my client and indeed all women in the Northern Territory". "The tribunals that routinely deal with cases like this have a discretion about whether to accept claims that are in some cases beyond 12 months or two years after the event," he said. "Here, the Northern Territory government decided to behave as if we're still back in the dark ages and has baulked at the idea of paying compensation to a woman who, like other women in this situation, lost her legal career." Under the NT's Anti-Discrimination Act, complaints usually need to be submitted within 12 months of the alleged conduct, however the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner can accept complaints outside of that period if they deem it appropriate. Mr Bornstein — who represented several women who were sexually harassed by former Justice Heydon — said the NT had a $60,000 cap on the amount of compensation payable to sexual harassment victims, which he said added "insult to injury". "To have a cap on their loss of $60,000 is an insult and indicates that the Northern Territory government regards women in the Northern Territory as second-class citizens — it's not an experience that any other woman in Australia has to contend with." An NT Attorney-General's Department spokesperson said the department "does not comment on any complaints being dealt with by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner". The spokesperson said the NT Legislative Assembly was responsible for setting the cap on compensation under the Anti-Discrimination Regulations.
News24
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Legal rebel: Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh celebrates earning law degree on his own terms
Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh initially rebelled against following his father Dali Mpofu's legal career path, only to discover his passion for law while writing his second book during the pandemic. His legal studies gained deeper meaning as he studied cases argued by his father and judgments written by his godfather Edwin Cameron, making the academic experience intensely personal. Mpofu-Walsh describes managing law studies alongside his podcast, academic work, and family life, including the birth of his son, as one of the 'hardest professional battles' of his life. Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh initially rebelled against following his father Dali Mpofu's legal career path, only to discover his passion for law while writing his second book during the pandemic. His legal studies gained deeper meaning as he studied cases argued by his father and judgments written by his godfather Edwin Cameron, making the academic experience intensely personal. Taking to his Instagram account recently Mpofu-Walsh described managing law studies alongside his podcast, academic work, and family life, including the birth of his son, as one of the 'hardest professional battles' of his life. His father, Dali Mpofu, is a prominent South African advocate and legal professional. The accomplished author, academic and broadcaster initially resisted the legal path that many expected him to take due to his family heritage. 'I never planned to study law. When I was younger, everyone thought I would because of my father, so I rebelled. Then, in the middle of writing my second book during the pandemic, I found myself deep in constitutional debates, discovering the law's quiet power, its beauty, its mystery. I couldn't look away anymore,' he explains. The transition from holding a PhD to starting an undergraduate law degree proved to be a humbling experience for the seasoned academic. 'The law doesn't care what else you know—you must start at the beginning,' Mpofu-Walsh reflects. His legal studies took on deeply personal dimensions as he discovered connections between his academic material and his family legacy. 'I spent late nights leafing through textbooks and cases, but also learning about myself and those around me. My godfather, Edwin Cameron, penned many of the judgments I read. My father argued some of the cases I studied. As if the past was reminding me: you are here now.' Managing his law studies alongside his established career and growing family presented unprecedented challenges. Mpofu-Walsh describes balancing his podcast SMWX, Wits work, and family responsibilities while studying law as one of the 'hardest professional battles of my life.' 'I remember prepping to interview Julius Malema one night, then writing a property law exam the next morning, scraping 60%—and somehow, that mark felt more satisfying than the many distinctions I got,' he recalls. The journey became even more meaningful with the arrival of his son during his studies. 'I could never have known my son would be born during this journey, cheering me on in his small way as I moved from nappies to assignments, and back again.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sizwe Mpofu Walsh (@sizwempofuwalsh) The graduation celebration held special significance for the entire family. 'To share this moment with those I love has been the greatest gift. My father saying, 'I told you you'd come to the law.' My mother saying, 'I'm so proud of you.' Mum, it's true—I only do it to make you proud.' Adding to the family's academic achievements, his wife Sumaya earned her PhD simultaneously, with each partner supporting the other's educational pursuits. While he's earned the qualification, Mpofu-Walsh's immediate plans remain focused on his current work. 'For now, I'm focusing on the podcast and my academic work. But, maybe one day, I'll stand before a court, adding my voice to a tradition that shaped me.' The graduation represented more than just another academic achievement. 'This graduation felt special for all these reasons,' he concludes, acknowledging the personal journey that brought him back to the legal profession he once actively avoided. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sizwe Mpofu Walsh (@sizwempofuwalsh)
Telegraph
16-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Business Secretary ‘faces prosecution' if he repeats false CV claims
Jonathan Reynolds has been warned that he could face prosecution if he ever again claims to have worked as a solicitor. The Business Secretary said last week that he had been cleared by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) over claims he lied about his legal career. But The Telegraph has learnt that the Cabinet minister was actually warned that he could be prosecuted if he repeated past claims that he worked as a solicitor, despite never qualifying. A spokesman for the SRA said: 'We have concluded our investigation. We do not consider it proportionate or in the public interest to bring criminal proceedings. 'However, we have advised that if the behaviour is repeated, we may well reconsider our position.' It is understood the watchdog wrote to the Business Secretary with the update in May. The SRA probe was started in February after it emerged that Mr Reynolds has previously claimed on several occasions that he worked as a solicitor before becoming an MP. In fact, he did not qualify for the title because he had never finished his training contract with Addleshaw Goddard, a law firm, having quit the course in 2010 to run for Parliament. Under Section 21 of the Solicitors Act 1974, it is illegal for any unqualified person to take or use 'any name, title, addition or description' implying they are qualified to act as a solicitor. The SRA also states on its website it is a criminal offence for someone to call themselves a solicitor if they are not on the official register. This could include pretending to be a solicitor at court or 'describing themselves as a solicitor on their social media profiles'. Claim removed from online CV The watchdog initially said it would not be taking any action after Mr Reynolds updated his online CV to remove a claim he held the role. However, it went on to start an investigation in February after 'further information' came to light. The Business Secretary previously claimed on his website and in the Commons that he worked as a solicitor in Manchester before becoming an MP, and implied that he had held the role in a post on Twitter, now X, in 2011. He made the same claim in a campaign leaflet for the 2015 general election, at which he was re-elected as MP for Stalybridge and Hyde. The Telegraph revealed that he was warned a decade ago not to lie about his legal career but dismissed the concerns, accusing the complainant of 'reading too much' into his comments. Asked for an update on the investigation at a lunch for Westminster journalists last week, Mr Reynolds said the case was closed, but admitted he had been told to be 'careful' in future. He said: 'They came back shortly after that media period to say look, always be careful to be accurate, but there's no misleading here, and there's nothing else to look into.' Calls for sacking When the claims emerged, Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, and Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, called for Mr Reynolds to be sacked. The Tories also wrote to Sir Laurie Magnus, Sir Keir Starmer's ethics adviser, urging him to investigate 'potential breaches of the ministerial code'. Mr Reynolds apologised to the Prime Minister and went on to correct the record in Parliament, saying he should have made clear that he was a trainee solicitor. The disclosures presented a fresh headache for Sir Keir, who had already been forced to defend his Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, over claims she inflated her CV. Sources close to the Business Secretary claimed the SRA did not contact Mr Reynolds before briefing the media. They said there were extensive historic examples in the public domain to show that he had only ever been a trainee solicitor.
