A growing number of sovereign citizens are clogging up Australian courts, after the global financial crisis and COVID-19 spurred a surge in the group's numbers in Australia.

The topic is being discussed as one of a handful of major trends impacting the legal system, as Australia's top legal experts meet in Canberra for the Australian Legal Convention.

In addressing the convention, High Court Chief Justice Stephen Gageler acknowledged the impact of the sovereign citizen movement.

"The still small but growing number of sovereign citizens who engage with the Australian judicature are an added source of pressure,"

Chief Justice Gageler said.

Many sovereign citizens are charged with simple offences, including traffic infringements, since they do not believe in licences, insurance or paying

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