A judge overseeing a class action against Suncorp subsidiary AAI has questioned whether the “uncertain” plan B of a law firm seeking a 25 per cent group costs order was artificially uncertain to increase the relative appeal of its contingency fee bid.
Shine Lawyers has lost its bid to recover $32 million in interest on a loan it took out to run two pelvic mesh class actions against Johnson & Johnson, with a judge finding it would make a “marginal settlement less than reasonable”.
An IP Australia delegate has shot down Kraft’s opposition to a Mars patent for a less costly method for producing the distinct creaminess and flavour of crumb chocolate.
Companies could be on the hook for higher penalties for foreign bribery and other white collar offences after a High Court majority on Wednesday found a $1.35 million bribery penalty imposed on engineering firm Jacobs Group was inadequate.
The High Court has found a Whitsundays resort is not vicariously liable for the actions of an employee who urinated on his roommate in staff accommodation after a night of drinking, finding the act had “no real connection” to his employment.
ANZ’s $47 million settlement of a class action over its consumer credit insurance has been given the nod by a judge, who has also approved recovery of the cost of after-the-event insurance held by the law firm running the case.
The lead plaintiff in a class action by dealers over a decision to retire the Holden brand has settled its claim with General Motors, but is set to remain as the lead plaintiff in the case.
The judge overseeing the receivership of Melissa Caddick’s estate has pushed off a dispute about a collection of sneakers held by the deceased fraudster’s teenaged son, including one pair that could be worth up to $12,000.
A judge overseeing the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s case alleging auto mechanic Ultra Tune failed to comply with court orders has labelled its managing director Sean Buckley as “one of the more dreadful witnesses” he had seen.
Slater and Gordon has agreed to consolidate its data breach class action against Medibank with one brought by Baker McKenzie, after the judge overseeing the cases railed against competing class actions.