White Collar
Banksia barrister Norman O’Bryan avoids jail for attempted fraud
Former silk Norman O’Bryan has avoided jail time after pleading guilty in a criminal case over his role in the scandal-ridden Banksia Securities class action.
Construction
Ex-CFMEU secretary John Setka reaches agreement in AFL umpire threat case
Former CFMEU Victorian secretary John Setka has reached an agreement with the Fair Work Ombudsman in proceedings alleging he tried to coerce the AFL to sack an umpire over his previous role at the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
Appeals
Full Court tosses appeal in live exports class action
The Full Federal Court has dismissed an appeal in a class action over the government’s 2011 live exports ban, which will have consequences for the damages that can be awarded to cattle exporters.
Discrimination
In landmark ruling, Full Court finds Giggle for Girls discriminated against trans woman
The Full Court has found women-only social media app Giggle for Girls committed direct discrimination on the basis of gender identity by excluding a transgender woman from the platform and slapped its founder with aggravated damages for repeated misgendering during trial.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Coles misled customers with ‘Down Down’ discounts, judge finds
A judge has found Coles engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct when advertising products with a 'Down Down' discount, in a win for the consumer regulator and a class action.
Class Actions
High Court to hear Victorian public housing demolition class action
The High Court will hear the appeal of a failed class action over the planned demolition of inner-city public housing towers in Melbourne, which will involve consideration of the right to remain in settled social communities.
Class Actions
Maurice Blackburn seeks 35% GCO in fast code bet class action
Maurice Blackburn wants a 35 per cent cut of any settlement in a class action against the operator of sports betting sites Ladbrokes and Neds -- 2 per cent higher than a group costs order in a similar case against Sportsbet -- telling the court there was likely to be a "smaller pie".
Competition & Consumer Protection
Suit accuses QBE, Allianz, Steadfast of anti-competitive conduct
A WA insurance broker has brought a $3 million case against insurance broking network Steadfast Group as well as insurers QBE and Allianz, alleging they engaged in anti-competitive conduct in the market for insurance broking services in Australia.
Class Actions
Class action alleging racism by Queensland hospitals must plead a comparator
A class action against Queensland and two hospitals on behalf of First Nations people alleging institutional racism must plead a comparator group by which their treatment is to be measured, a court has said.
Privacy & Cybersecurity
OAIC clears real estate platform Fast Property AI of misusing personal info
The privacy watchdog has cleared a property company run by lawyer Dominique Grubisa of claims of misuse of personal information, but has referred concerns about promotional statements to the ACCC.
