Barristers

In a boost to securities class actions, the High Court has ruled that directors of collapsed companies can be subjected to public examination by shareholders wanting to bring civil proceedings.

A lawyer whose conduct in the Banksia Securites class action was said to have left a stain on the integrity of the legal profession has secured a temporary stay of a decision by Victoria’s legal watchdog to disqualify him from practicing law for four years.

Lawyers leading a class action against the Commonwealth Bank over its alleged money laundering compliance failures are getting their ducks in a row in the event the Full Court rules the court has the power to shut out unregistered group members from a class action.

An Australian fashion designer suing Katy Perry over the rights to use the Katy Perry trade mark in Australia is a “calculating and dishonest witness” whose “utterly dishonest” testimony should not be believed, counsel for the pop star said during closing submissions.

Clive Palmer said he feared for his physical safety as a result of the criminal immunity granted to the WA government by legislation and the consequent ‘political campaign’ waged against him, as he took the stand for the first time in his defamation trial against the WA premier.

Embattled war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith continues to pursue legal action against his ex-wife, having applied for leave to appeal a Federal Court decision disallowing cross-examination over allegations she accessed his private emails.

Seven Network has settled a defamation lawsuit brought by a Nyamal man who the broadcaster wrongly identified as the suspect in the abduction of four-year-old Cleo Smith in Western Australia.

Evidence of anxiety felt by 7-Eleven franchisees leading class actions against the convenience store giant was relevant to whether the funder could earn a $25 million commission from the proceeds of a settlement, a court has heard.

A judge overseeing the closely watched trial in Clive Palmer’s defamation case against WA Premier Mark McGowan has vented his frustrations with the state of Australian defamation proceedings, railing against what he said was the common practice of parties refusing to concede even minor points. 

Decorated Afghanistan war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith has accused his ex-wife of lying to journalists, lawyers and the court in order to “seek revenge” for his alleged infidelity.