Class Actions
In a first, judge alters contingency fee in Origin Energy class action
A judge has granted the first-ever application to vary a contingency fee in a class action that has yet to reach settlement or judgment, but has warned his decision doesn't set a precedent for “routine variation” of group costs orders.
Intellectual Property
Designer triumphs at High Court in fight with singer Katy Perry
Australian designer Katie Taylor has won her High Court appeal in a fight with pop star Katy Perry over the right to trade mark her name, with the court saying a Full Court ruling in Perry's favour "rewarded the wrongdoers".
Policy and Regulation
Robodebt probe finds corrupt conduct by two officials, clears Morrison
The NACC has released its report after a secretive investigation into six people linked to the Robodebt scandal, finding two bureaucrats engaged in serious corrupt conduct but letting former PM Scott Morrison off the hook.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Crane firms deny anti-competitive deals made in Whatsapp chats
Sydney’s four largest mobile crane companies have denied claims by the ACCC that agreements on a group chat to not supply cranes to certain customers and construction sites were anti-competitive.
Class Actions
Class action can allege doctors passed themselves off as plastic surgeons
A class action against Dr Daniel Lanzer and his clinic has won approval to allege that some doctors passed themselves off as plastic surgeons in social media posts, including some that included the terms #plasticsurgeon and #plasticsurgery.
Sports
Australian Turf Club wins fight with Racing NSW over administration
A court has found that Racing NSW's appointment of an administrator to the owner of Sydney's Randwick Racecourse over financial concerns was invalid.
Privacy & Cybersecurity
Lululemon fined $700,000 for spam breaches
Athleticwear giant Lululemon has been hit with a $700,00 penalty for sending close to 400,000 emails that had both a commercial and promotional purpose but that did not include an unsubscribe link.
Business of Law
Clyde & Co nabs insurance pro from DLA piper
An insurance expert with nearly 15 years of experience has joined Clyde & Co's partnership from DLA Piper.
Intellectual Property
Pharmacor targets patent extension in fight over AstraZeneca’s Forxiga
Pharmacor wants to amend its defence in AstraZeneca's suit over the Australian drug maker's plans to launch a generic version of diabetes drug Forxiga so that it can argue a patent extension for the drug should not have been granted.
Employment
HWLE may present solicitor expert evidence in Linda Reynolds’ suit
HWL Ebsworth might rely on expert evidence to show it acted reasonably in its representation of the Commonwealth in a $2.45 million settlement with Brittany Higgins, a deal at the centre of a suit by ex-defence minister Linda Reynolds.
