“The High Court has overturned a landmark case that had allowed a judge to be sued for the first time in Australia, depriving the Queensland father who had been wrongly jailed for contempt by Federal Circuit Court judge. But on Wednesday the High Court unanimously allowed an appeal by Justice Vasta, finding that "despite the many and egregious errors" in his treatment of Mr Stradford", all judges of courts referred to in section 71 of the Constitution were immune to a civil suit arising out of acts done in the exercise of their judicial function or capacity. The judgment leaves Mr Stradford without redress against the judge's undisputed wrong conduct and is likely to revive calls for a federal judicial commission to investigate complaints against judges, promised by the Albanese government but not delivered. Justice Vasta had ordered Mr Stradford to hand over gambling account statements in a property dispute with his ex-wife in 2018. Mr Stradford said he had tried to produce them but Justice Vasta did not believe him, telling him: "I hope you brought your toothbrush." The father of two, who was not represented by a lawyer, was found in contempt and sentenced to 12 months in jail. He spent six days in jail before he was released. The orders were overturned by the full bench of the Family Court, which described the case as a "gross miscarriage of justice.”” ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• This is why we need an Independent Judicial Commission. People need to be able to seek redress if they have been treated unfairly by the judiciary. This is one of People First's most important policies because we always put the People First. Quote from: #auspol