Clare Exell

A key issue in the ACCC’s price-fixing case against Downer EDI’s Spotless and Ventia is likely to focus on whether the facilities services companies were in competition, a court has heard. 

United Petroleum, which is facing a franchisee class action over allegedly loss-making Pie Face stores, is resisting a plaintiff law firm’s bid for “a right of veto” over the petrol giant’s communications with group members, even those not represented by the firm.

United Petroleum has given an undertaking to not contact group members in a class action against the petrol giant over the introduction of loss-making Pie Face stores, amid concerns about the treatment of franchisees participating in the case.