Business of Law
Class action silk pleads guilty over Banksia counsel fees
Former silk Norman O’Bryan has pleaded guilty in a criminal case over his role as senior counsel for the Banksia Securities class action.
Defamation
WA appeals court upholds toss of defamation suit over lack of concerns notice
The WA Court of Appeal has upheld the dismissal of a defamation case after the plaintiff failed to issue a concerns noting before bringing proceedings, resolving a novel question about the application of NSW law in the state.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Qteq chair hit with record $1M penalty for attempted cartel conduct
A judge has fined Queensland mining equipment company Qteq $5 million and chair Simon Ashton a record $1 million for attempting to engage in cartel conduct.
Class Actions
Judge ‘affronted’ by NT remote housing class action solicitor’s affidavit
A judge has disregarded submissions by a class action solicitor appearing to critique the court's exercise of its procedural powers, “affronted” that the lawyer seemed to suggest she needed to be “educated”.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Petrol companies could face $100M penalty for pricing misconduct
The federal government has proposed doubling penalties against petrol companies for pricing misconduct to $100 million, as conflict in the Middle East causes prices to skyrocket.
Employment
Woolworths seeks more details in exec’s overwork, discrimination case
Woolworths says it wants more information about an executive's lawsuit alleging she faced excessive workloads and discrimination after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.
Social Media
ACCC, Meta in discovery standoff in crypto ad scam case
A judge has asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Meta to resolve their standoff over document discovery in a case over scam cryptocurrency ads on Facebook.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Trike maker locked in recall fight with Target wants to withdraw admission
Israel-based Smart Trike is seeking to withdraw its admission that it supplied noncompliant convertible strollers to the Australian market in a fight with distributor Target over a recall of the products.
AI
FWC issues draft AI guidance amid ‘unprecedented’ workload increase
The Fair Work Commission has proposed requiring litigants to disclose their use of generative artificial intelligence tools and to check that all details in documents are correct, or risk their case being dismissed.
Class Actions
Judge OKs Colonial’s $140M settlement but chops funder’s cut
A judge has declined a funder’s bid for a $43 million payout in a class action accusing Colonial First State of charging excessive premiums, saying it was entitled to a 27.5 per cent commission but not $4.5 million for after-the-event insurance.
