Class Actions
Law firms to fight it out for carriage of Cochlear shareholder class action
Two law firms will battle for carriage of a shareholder class action against hearing device manufacturer Cochlear, a court has heard.
Class Actions
Meta hit with class action over social media addiction
Digital giant Meta faces a class action in the Federal Court after the company's multibillion-dollar settlement in the US over harms caused by its social media platforms – the first Australian class action of its kind.
Class Actions
Judge appoints barristers to weigh in on Toyota class action funder’s cut
In a change of heart, a judge has appointed two barristers to act as contradictors in argument over the funder's proposed $244 million cut of a record $750 million settlement in two Toyota class actions.
AI
Law firms ‘wrangling’ with new pricing models in wake of AI
Law firms are moving away from time-based billing to other pricing models with the advent of generative AI, according to an expert, and the shift could help junior lawyers retain critical skills.
Courts
Judge calls for ‘fundamental’ reform of expert evidence, with AI’s help
A judge has called for an overhaul of the traditional expert evidence process, which he said was one driver of the high cost of civil litigation, remarking that courts are not an “expensive dispute resolution service” reserved for corporations and the wealthy.
Class Actions
Sydney Uni postgrads take failed class action to High Court
The High Court has been asked to revive a class action brought by a postgrad student who alleges the research stipend he received from Sydney University was less than minimum wage.
Employment
Fortescue fires exec after MinterEllison harassment investigation
Mining and energy company Fortescue has sacked an executive following an independent probe by law firm MinterEllison into sexual harassment complaints.
Class Actions
Victoria says COVID-era curfew class action filed out of time
The Victorian government is seeking summary dismissal of a class action alleging government curfews put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic were unlawful, arguing the case was filed out of time.
Privacy & Cybersecurity
Smart glasses to be banned in Victorian schools
Victoria has become the second Australian state to introduce a ban on smart glasses in schools, citing student safety concerns.
Policy and Regulation
Visy, other Pratt companies pay $4M for alleged late financial reports
Paper giant Visy Industries and 20 other companies in the Pratt group have paid $4.158 million in fines for allegedly failing to lodge 2024/205 financial reports on time.
