Class Actions
Judge from Maurice Blackburn puts self-imposed ban on firm’s cases
A judge has recused himself from hearing a class action against Fletcher Building, and has imposed a ban on presiding over any cases involving Maurice Blackburn for a period of time.
Competition & Consumer Protection
No change to Ford class action damages after High Court win
A judge has kept intact a lead applicant’s award of damages in a class action over alleged defective Ford vehicles, following a High Court decision, siding with neither party on what the figure should be.
Restructuring & Insolvency
Developers want $150M case shut down amid ‘likely’ criminal charges
Property developers Paul Chiodo and Robert Filippini want to stay proceedings by Keystone's receivers over $150 million allegedly laundered through City Built's construction projects, citing "quite likely" criminal charges.
Employment
‘Pull off band-aid’ on messages in Dovetail harassment suit: judge
The judge hearing a harassment suit by an in-house counsel at Dovetail has urged the software firm to "pull off the band-aid" and share text message evidence between the lawyer and company CEO Benjamin Humphrey.
ACCC
Good Guys to pay $13.5M in ACCC suit over misleading promotions
Retailer The Good Guys has agreed to pay $13.5 million in ACCC proceedings alleging it made misleading statements about store credit.
Competition & Consumer Protection
ACCC says AI, cloud computing pose risks to competition
The ACCC has concluded its five year inquiry into digital platforms, identifying risks to competition posed by AI and cloud computing and again calling for significant regulation to counter “harmful” practices by the likes of Google and Facebook.
Business of Law
Barristers’ group can use funds to cover mental health care, court says
A NSW Supreme Court judge has found the Barristers Benevolent Association of NSW can use its funds to support mental health care for legal practitioners.
Class Actions
Sportsbet can’t peek at law firm’s finances ahead of possible security fight
A judge has held off on orders requiring Maurice Blackburn to turn over financial information to Sportsbet in a class action over unlawful in-play betting, saying the parties should first confer on the issue of security for costs.
Class Actions
Funder hit with costs in failed class action against EY, Quintis director
The funder of a failed class action against the founder of sandalwood producer Quintis and EY and has been hit with costs, despite arguing the order would set a bad precedent.
Class Actions
Judge hits pause on Paladin Energy class action pending carriage fight
A judge has temporarily excused uranium miner Paladin Energy from providing initial discovery in a shareholder class action, as the parties wait for a competing class action to be filed.
