Financial Services
‘Unseemly’ fight breaks out as firm seeks bigger cut of $29M AMP settlement
Law firm Piper Alderman is seeking a larger cut of a $29 million settlement in a class action it ran against AMP alongside Shine Lawyers, arguing its current payout punished it for "relative efficiency".
Class Actions
Judge slams disclosure failure over sibling funding deal in CuDeco case
A judge has blasted the lack of disclosure about a sibling relationship between the litigation funder and solicitor for a class action against directors of collapsed mining company CuDeco, and has ordered the parties to explain themselves.
Legal Ethics
Shine Lawyers judgment deferral bid an abuse of process, judge says
A judge has ordered Shine Lawyer to pay costs in a client’s negligence claim, finding that it was improper for the firm to seek to reopen the case to rely on documents that were of limited relevance.
Class Actions
BHP, Rio Tinto lose bid to declass discrimination class actions
Mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto have failed to declass group proceedings over alleged failures to protect female employees from discrimination, but a judge struck out victimisation and sexual assault claims.
Appeals
Apple to seek fast-track appeal in Epic Games case
Apple will seek an expedited appeal of a finding that it engaged in anti-competitive conduct in relation to its App Store and orders forcing it to allow third-party app marketplaces and in-app payment solutions for Australian users.
Defamation
Rebel Wilson wins again in case over her movie ‘The Deb’
Actress and director Rebel Wilson has prevailed in a second case over statements she made in relation to her directorial debut film 'The Deb'.
Restructuring & Insolvency
Mosaic directors waived privilege over Hamilton Locke advice, judge says
Former directors of failed clothing retailer Mosaic Brands have failed to shield documents recording safe harbour advice they received from Hamilton Locke, with a judge finding privilege was waived after the advice was included in board minutes and provided to the administrators.
Class Actions
$55M Aldi class action settlement avoids ‘mathematically tedious’ trial: judge
A judge has approved a $55 million settlement in an underpayments class action against budget grocery chain Aldi on behalf of workers who were allegedly denied pay for work done before and after shifts.
Legal Ethics
Barrister reprimanded after giving false financial info in family law case
A Sydney barrister found guilty of professional misconduct after falsely claiming in Family Court proceedings that he received $70,000 in inheritance when in fact he had received almost $230,000 has been reprimanded.
Trials
How to avoid experts ‘rolling on you’ and other expert evidence tips
Keeping experts in the loop and testing their evidence early is critical to avoiding common pitfalls with their evidence, according to solicitors.
