Overview
- A brief Federal Court hearing on November 12 followed a November 5 re‑amended claim that drops specific allegations against former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus.
- Reynolds alleges the Commonwealth breached a duty of care and that HWL Ebsworth was negligent in handling the 2022 mediation that produced Brittany Higgins’ $2.4 million settlement.
- Her claim says she was excluded from mediation, prevented from maintaining independent representation, and left without settlement terms that would protect her reputation.
- Reynolds’ lawyer describes the suit as a simplified negligence action, with the respondents considering a strike‑out by December and defences expected by early February, and no trial date set.
- The NACC previously found no corruption issue with the payout, and Reynolds is separately pursuing bankruptcy actions against Higgins and David Sharaz, with hearings on November 18 and December 16.