Sam Matthews

Ord Minnett must pay years of wages and other entitlements to a wealth adviser who was only remunerated by commission payments, after a judge found he was covered by the finance industry award, in a decision that could reverberate throughout the industry. 

A judge has scorned a bid by the directors of John Bridgeman and JB Markets to represent the companies in a case brought by investment fund Benjamin Hornigold, suggesting the companies seek pro bono or community legal assistance.

Westpac subsidiary RAMS has flagged a cross-claim against disgruntled franchisees who say their agreements were terminated without proper cause, citing possible breaches of the National Credit Act. 

Santos is seeking to wrangle further documents from the Environmental Defenders Office to support its bid for costs orders against the law firm, telling a court there must have been “glaring deficiencies” in the standard of its services in running its challenge to construction of a pipeline for the energy company’s $5.6 billion Barossa gas project.

A judge has thrown out a shareholder’s case against Slater & Gordon over the firm’s takeover by private equity firm Allegro, after finding the firm was not the proper target for the claims. 

The judge overseeing AUSTRAC’s case against Star Entertainment has questioned the parties’ agreement to refer questions of fact and law to a former judge for determination, rather than an anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing expert. 

Cargill has won a trade mark infringement case against a company that a judge said appeared to be operating an “internet scam” to intercept a $10 million payment to the multinational food company.

The former headmaster of exclusive Sydney school Cranbrook has settled a dispute with his former employer after it admitted a public statement concerning his management of misconduct allegations against a teacher “may have caused confusion”, but will press on with a complaint against the ABC over the Four Corners episode that sparked the controversy. 

Law firm Barry Nilsson has been hit with proceedings by a former client who says was not informed the initial costs estimate of $6,000 provided by the firm had ballooned to $50,000 until her costs exceeded $32,000.

The founders of streetwear retailer City Beach have won a fight with the ATO over the taxation of a $52 million disposal of pre-capital gains tax assets.