George Roussos

We are very pleased to join Sparke Helmore Lawyers earlier this month.

George Roussos’ contact details are:

[email protected]
08 8960 0788
0419 819 561

ANZAC Day 25 April 2025.

Everyone here at RLA Remembers and Honours our Australian Defence Forces.

We thank our Heroes for their service to our Country.

RLA Managing Partner George Roussos visited community radio station 104.1 Territory FM at the Charles Darwin University Danala Education and Community Precinct in the Darwin CBD.

In the image is George with Matt Bern, the Station Manager and Program Director at Territory FM.

TFM is a great Territory asset and plays a valuable role in the community.

(George is a member of the TFM Community Advisory Board).

Defamation ("the action of damaging the good reputation of someone; slander or libel") cases are often high profile.

In the Northern Territory, defamation laws are currently set out in the Defamation Act 2006, legislation that became outdated, including, as it failed to keep up with the digital age.

The Defamation Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 was introduced to the Northern Territory parliament on 13 February 2025.

Part of a nationwide push to modernise defamation laws, the changes to the legislation are extensive, with some of the key amendments being:

• the introduction of a serious harm element aimed at filtering out trivial, minor or frivolous defamation claims

• changes to pre-litigation processes aimed at encouraging quicker, earlier and non-litigious resolution of defamation disputes.

• the introduction and amendments of a number of defences, including a new public interest defence.

• the extension of the defence of absolute privilege to matters published to police, along with guiding principles. This is intended to encourage the report of serious offences and alleviate concerns that reporting could lead to defamation claims.

• clarification of awards for non-economic loss.

• the introduction of a single publication rule representing a significant update to address the challenges posed by digital media. This rule specifies that the one-year limitation period for defamation action starts from the date of the first publication and does not reset with subsequent access or downloads.

• The introduction of conditional exemption for search engines in relation to organic search results.

• requirements for courts to consider balancing factors when making preliminary discovery orders against digital intermediaries.

• a new innocent dissemination defence for digital intermediaries.

• a specific power for courts to make non-party orders against digital intermediaries to prevent access to defamatory matters online.

The Bill has been referred to the Legislative Scrutiny Committee, which will produce a report in March 2025.

We set out an overview (https://tinyurl.com/2c3h4kem) of the Yao (workers compensation mental stress claim) case.

It covers, at a high level, the main facts, the procedural history and appeal points and the Court’s key findings.

The Yao case deals with a claim for workers compensation for personal injury under the Northern Territory Return to Work Act.

Inherently, there is an overlay of other laws and regulations (the “legislative infrastructure”) that apply to the employment relationship, such as the (NT) Public Sector Employment and Management Act and Employment Instructions (which are referred to in the Yao case), the (NT) Work Health and Safety Act, the Federal Fair Work Act, Anti-Discrimination legislation and a range of subsidiary legislation such as regulations, rules and by-laws, and workplace based policies and procedures.

Justice Michael Kirby, former Judge of the Federal Court, President of the NSW Court of Appeal and former Justice of the High Court of Australia gave this "Advice to young lawyers" (in 2005).

"I learned in my earliest years that there is no substitute for hard work and getting the law into my head. You don't do that just be photocopying more papers. Law is not a profession for the superficial, for show ponies or the lazy.

Top performers have to make big sacrifices in time and personal relations. Yet, after a successful day as a lawyer, with a problem solved, people helped and a case well argued, there are few jobs that seem more worthwhile. It is the attainment of justice and fairness that gives us our buzz.

When we can help do this, we know that being a lawyer is something special.

Righting wrongs according to law is a big privilege. Even simply contributing to an ordered society is a worthwhile life's effort.

The advance of women to every level in the law (almost) opens up huge opportunities.

Eventually, women lawyers it will help change some of the less attractive features of legal practice.

In my lifetime, I have seen the laws against g**s, Australian Aborigines, Chinese Australians and other minorities completely changed. Often, the leadership for such changes has been given by lawyers. We have to ask ourselves what other areas of law need changing.

Young lawyers are more likely to see these needs. With age sometimes comes complacency and self-satisfaction.

So my advice to young lawyers is to strive for excellence. Struggle to maintain a full personal life. Get involved in community as well as professional activities.

Never forget that our banner is justice under law."

Our Congratulations to Angie Lai on Angie's Admission to the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory of Australia on Tuesday, 25 February 2025.

Through primary, secondary and University education, Angie won many awards and high marks.

RLA Managing Partner, George Roussos appeared in Court for Angie to move the Motion to the Court comprising of Chief Justice Grant, Justice Blokland, Justice Brownhill, Acting Justice Lasry and Associate Justice Smyth.

We wish Angie continuing success.

The High Court of Australia sat in Darwin on 6 Aug 2024.

Established in 1901, the High Court is Australia's highest court.

The Court has the ultimate responsibility for interpreting and applying Australian law, including the power to determine the constitutional validity of legislation. It also serves as the final court of appeal for all federal, state, and territory courts.

Current Justices are: Chief Justice Stephen Gageler AC; Justice Michelle Gordon AC; Justice James Edelman AC; Justice Harry Steward; Justice Jacqueline Gleeson; Justice Jayne Margaret Jagot; and Justice Robert Beech-Jones.

Images - the Court sitting in the Supreme Court Building, Darwin.
George Roussos with Chief Justice Gageler and Joshua Ingrames