Sam Matthews

A court has rejected Ben Roberts-Smith’s appeal of a decision that found he committed war crimes in Afghanistan, as well as the disgraced soldier’s bid to re-open the case in light of a secret recording of Nine journalist Nick McKenzie. 

Professional services firm Alvarez & Marshal has bolstered its Australian restructuring team with the addition of two Deloitte veterans.

Western Power, Ventia, and a property owner found jointly liable for loss arising from the Parkerville bushfire are equally liable to each other for any costs orders in favour of the plaintiffs in the case, after a judge found he could not disturb existing costs orders in a new proceeding.

Two soon-to-be consolidated class actions against Harvey Norman are fighting the retailer’s bid to appoint a costs referee, saying this was unnecessary given their plan to secure a group costs order.

In the ACCC’s price-fixing case, infrastructure services company Ventia has joined with Spotless in arguing the companies were not in competition, and says it was the Department of Defence that arranged for the providers to talk.

A judge has refused to allow four people to join a closed class action brought on behalf of certain people who were detained at two infamous immigration detention centres in South Australia.

The plaintiff in a flex commissions class action against ANZ has asked the court to approve a $85 million settlement, including a 24.5 per cent group costs order, citing the “considerable risk” involved in running the case.

A developer seeking to redevelop the site of the Hyde Park Inn has lost its bid for an extra 15 months to pay up over $95 million to the NSW branch of the RSL to settle the purchase, but a judge has handed it a win in the process for determining the final price tag for the deal.

Herbert Smith Freehills has bolstered its Brisbane energy practice by luring a pair of partners from Allens and Johnson Winter Slattery.

Pianist Jayson Gillham’s claims against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will go to trial after a judge rejected its argument that his case should be dismissed because the protections of the state Equal Opportunity Act do not constitute workplace law.