Chris Merritt, Legal Editor at The Australian, with an update on the stories making waves in legal circles this week:

• One.Tel's Jodee Rich wins court battle against ASIC.
• New rules governing the nation's lawyers are beginning to take shape and not everyone is happy.
• The Law Council of Australia is set to retain its position on the taskforce that is reviewing the profession's regulation despite an apparent conflict of interest.

It's 2.5 years since Slater & Gordon became the first law firm in the world to go public – a strategy that's seen it achieve between 10 and 12 percent organic growth. In a wide-ranging interview with Managing Director MD Andrew Grech, Virginia Harrison discussed the challenge of attracting and retaining top talent, despite Slater & Gordon not offering the ultimate goal of partnership; also discussed -- the firm's expansion in the personal injury market (recent acquisitions set to add over $9 million to its fees on a full-year basis).

In just over a fortnight, Copenhagen plays host to a gathering of almost 200 nations to find a replacement or extend the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The two biggest global emitters -- China and the United States -- stood shoulder to shoulder this week, pledging to back any substantial outcome. Meanwhile, the push here at home is still on for legislating a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme before the global summit. What of the implications for Australia going out on a limb? Grant Anderson from Allens Arthur Robinson and Tony Hill from Blake Dawson (going to Copenhagen as part of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development delegation) discuss the issue.

Chris Merritt, Legal Editor at The Australian, with an update on the stories making waves in legal circles this week:

• The High Court decision on the alcohol has gotten the liquor industry in a lather. The court decided that a Tasmanian publican was not liable because a drinker killed himself in a motorbike accident after the publican returned his motorcycle that had been locked away.
• The Chief Justice of Fiji, Anthony Gates, is breaking new ground when it comes to judicial conduct.
• The review of the legal profession's regulation is not going to be all smooth sailing, with Attorney-general Robert McClelland saying he wants the interests of consumers of legal services to have greater priority; the Law Council of Australia is worried if consumers have too much say in regulating the profession it could threaten its independence.

What controls exist to ensure eco-claims made about products or services are genuine? In response to the growth in green claims being made, the Australian Association of National Advertisers has published a code to ensure marketers are toeing the line. Matthew Hall Partner at Swaab Attorneys and AANA board member sheds some light on the changes.

Australia's publishing industry has been embroiled in a battle with government over the importation of books. Earlier this year the Productivity Commission recommended restrictions on imports be lifted, in a bid to stimulate competition and give consumers a better deal. But it seems the government has ignored this advice - siding inside with the desires of local authors and publishers. Natalie Hickey, Partner at Mallesons Stephen Jacques, discusses whether this issue is now dead in the water.