Australian judge who wrongly jailed father during divorce case won’t face consequences, high court finds

Court finds Salvatore Vasta is immune from a civil suit and that the guards and security officers are not liable

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A judge who wrongly jailed a father-of-two during routine divorce proceedings should be protected from any personal consequences for his actions, the high court has ruled, despite the episode being described as an affront to justice" and a parody".

The high court's ruling on Wednesday restores broad-based protections to all federal judges and shields them from being sued for wrong decisions, and overturns a 2023 decision that shook Australia's legal fraternity and prompted urgent calls for reform.

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