Insurance
IAG to fight regulator’s rejection of $1.3B RACWA merger
The ACCC has opposed IAG’s proposed $1.35 billion acquisition of RACWA's insurance operations, saying the deal would substantially lessen competition for motor vehicle and home and contents insurance in Western Australia.
Class Actions
AMP to pay $29M to settle another royal commission class action
AMP has agreed to pay $29 million to settle a class action alleging insurance customers were overcharged, putting to rest another case stemming from "serious misconduct" that came to light curing the 2018 banking royal commission.
Public Corruption
Court rejects Walter Sofronoff’s challenge to corrupt conduct finding
The Federal Court has dismissed Walter Sofronoff KC’s legal challenge to the ACT Integrity Commission findings that he engaged in corrupt conduct in his inquiry into the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann.
Financial Services
ACCC battles Mastercard, major companies over suppression bids
The competition regulator has cited the public interest in its misuse of market power case against Mastercard in fighting suppression applications by the credit card giant and its heavy-hitter customers, including Coles and Visa.
Employment
Webjet denies company lawyer was fired for questioning CEO’s resume
In a defence to its former chief legal officer's unfair dismissal case, online travel agency Webjet says the sole reason for her sacking was “ongoing underperformance”.
Healthcare
Mayne says it’s not on hook for break fee over failed Cosette merger
Mayne Pharma says it, and not US drug maker Cosette, has terminated their $672 merger agreement and that it is therefore not on the hook for a break fee.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Bupa must pay $35M in unconscionable conduct case
A court has slapped private health insurer Bupa with a $35 million penalty after it admitted to misleading thousands of customers about their benefits for over five years.
Courts
Judge who delivered 5-hour livestream verdict in Dawson trial farewelled
The NSW Supreme Court judge who found former rugby league player and teacher Chris Dawson guilty of murdering his wife has retired from the bench.
Intellectual Property
High Court sides with Bed Bath ‘N’ Table, says Full Court ‘conflated’ TM, consumer laws
The High Court has unanimously granted home retailer Bed Bath N’ Table’s appeal of a ruling that retailer House did not engage in misleading and deceptive conduct in setting up its Bed & Bath stores.
Class Actions
Detention class action wants case revived, says High Court ruling misunderstood
The applicant in an immigration detention class action that was discontinued four years ago wants to revive the proceedings, arguing the solicitors and the court misunderstood a High Court decision as dooming the case.
