Brendan Lim

The Commonwealth can be held criminally responsible for damage to First Nations sacred sites in the Northern Territory, the High Court has unanimously found in a case over construction damage to Gunlom Falls in Kakadu National Park.

The NSW Court of Appeal has said it has no power to exclude group members who do not sign up to a class action from participating in a settlement, upholding a controversial decision that the Full Federal Court said was “plainly wrong”. 

The former director of public prosecutions in the ACT, Shane Drumgold SC, has largely succeeded in his challenge against an inquiry into the prosecution of Brittany Higgins’ assault claims against Bruce Lehrmann, with a judge finding the inquiry’s report gave rise to an apprehension of bias.

A former Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills partner who alleges he was sacked for complaining about Lendlease’s “aggressive taxation position” has lost a bid to argue before the High Court that his claims are covered by new whistleblower protections.

Two units of electricity giant AGL Energy will pay penalties totalling $6 million for being unable to make good on their promise to be on standby to release electricity to help prevent blackouts.

A former Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills partner who claims he was sacked for complaining about Lendlease’s attempts to avoid tax liability has asked the High Court to overrule a judgment finding recent changes to whistleblower protections do not apply retrospectively to cover his claims.

A New South Wales developer’s argument that the Full Court was “plainly wrong” to dismiss the ACCC’s competition case against NSW Ports over the privatisation of two ports is destined for the High Court, a judge has heard. 

The Full Court has dealt a blow to a sacked Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills partner seeking $13 million in compensation from his former firm and Lendlease, finding new whistleblower protections do not apply retrospectively to cover his claims.

Telstra and TPG will not challenge a decision by the Australian Competition Tribunal to uphold the ACCC’s rejection of their proposed regional network sharing agreement.

The High Court has dismissed a constitutional appeal by Irish insurer Zurich, clearing the way for a class action over an allegedly defective New Zealand apartment block to proceed in the NSW Supreme Court.