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Funder’s involvement in Spotless class action settlement was ‘inappropriate’, judge finds
A judge has found that a litigation funder's involvement in settlement negotiations without the presence of the applicant's lawyers in a shareholder class action against Spotless Group, which recently settled for $95 million, was "inappropriate".
‘An order that has never been made before’: Judge preps for contingency fee hearing
A Victoria Supreme Court judge hearing two competing class actions against Allianz Australia over "junk" insurance has asked the parties for feedback on what she should consider at a hearing on a request for a group costs order, which would allow the plaintiff lawyers to earn a cut of any settlement or judgment, the first such request made since Victoria legalised contingency fees.
Shareholders appeal dismissal of Worley class action
Shareholders who lost a Federal Court trial in their class action against engineering company Worley are challenging the decision to dismiss the case.
Worley prevails in rare judgment dismissing shareholder class action
A judge has sided with Worley in a ruling tossing a class action after a trial alleged the engineering company misled shareholders and breached disclosure rules by issuing an overly positive earnings guidance of $322 million for the 2014 financial year.
Surfstitch class action lawyers accused of breaching duties to shareholders
The lawyers behind two class actions against clothing retailer Surfstitch breached their duties to act in the best interests of shareholders, and their conduct should bar them from pocketing more than $6 million claimed in costs and commission in the protracted litigation, a court has heard.
Worley ruling the latest setback for shareholder class actions
A judge's decision to throw out a shareholder class action against engineering company Worley is a loss for plaintiffs lawyers and could result in fewer listed companies willing to settle cases alleging they breached their disclosure obligations, but the ruling is not likely to have a significant chilling effect on securities litigation.
Spotless class action settlement approved after funders drop $1.5M battle for extra costs
A judge has signed off on a $95 million settlement in a shareholder class action against Spotless after a heated exchange saw the funders backing the lawsuit drop their bid for $1.5 million in costs above their commission.
Fonterra may bring counter-claims in class action over milk prices
Fonterra could bring counter-claims against dairy farmers that brought a class action alleging they were unpaid when the company slashed milk prices in 2016, a court has heard, after debt recovery proceedings by Fonterra against the lead applicants were joined with the class action.
‘Horrendous class action journey’: BoQ case should be focus of inquiry, group members say
Elderly victims of Ponzi schemer Bradley Sherwin have told the government's class action inquiry of their "horrendous class action journey", which led to a "pathetic outcome" in which the majority of a $12 million settlement with the Bank of Queensland went to the law firm and funder behind the case.
Brexit, COVID-19 no reason to alter security terms in Gladstone Ports class action, judge says
A judge has rejected claims by Gladstone Ports Corporation that security for costs in a $100 million class action by commercial fishing operators should not be paid through a London-based insurer because of the impact of Brexit and COVID-19.