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Government’s $721M Robodebt refund ignores damages claims, class action lawyer says
The Morrison Government will refund Centrelink recipients $721 million in debts paid as part of the controversial Robodebt scheme at the centre of a class action, a move lawyers for the class called an "unprecedented admission".
Boral faces second class action over US windows biz
Construction giant Boral faces another shareholder class action accused of failing to disclose the financial irregularities of its US windows business.
Criminal charges ‘on the cards’ for WA businessman Chris Marco, court told
Accepting that criminal proceedings were "on the cards" for accused Ponzi schemer Chris Marco, a judge has ordered the appointment of receivers to his assets and those of his company, AMS Holdings, saying there was a strong need for an independent assessment of the investment activities of the WA businessman.
AFP won’t lay charges against News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst
The Australian Federal Police has dropped its investigation of journalist Annika Smethurst over a series of News Corp articles that allegedly disclosed national security information, a decision applauded by the Law Council of Australia.
Patents system could get shake up in federal government review
The Morrison government has launched a review of Australia's patents system aimed at promoting innovation by smaller businesses.
Fuchs appeals ruling for Quaker over patents used at BHP mine
Fuchs Lubricants is contesting a finding that it infringed patents owned by Quaker Chemicals in supplying hydraulic fluid to a BHP Billiton-owned mine.
Continuous disclosure laws watered down to protect companies, directors from class actions
In its latest move aimed at shielding companies from "opportunistic class actions", the Morrison government has announced a temporary change to the continuous disclosure rules to give companies more wriggle room in updating shareholders during the coronavirus pandemic.
VW carve-out settlement may become more popular as class action scrutiny heats up
The settlement arrangement resolving five class actions against Volkswagen, which carved out hefty legal fees from the $120 million payout to drivers, could become more prevalent as the spotlight is once again trained on the cost of class actions. But the approach is not without controversy, experts say.
Baker McKenzie nabs former Norton Rose partner in second defection this month
Norton Rose Fulbright has lost its second partner this month, with the defection of IP specialist Helen MacPherson to Baker McKenzie.
IP Australia shoots down Intuit’s computer software patent
IP Australia has rejected a patent application by financial software firm Intuit, finding that its invention was not a manner of manufacture and contained "nothing of substance" from which patentable claims could be found.