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$50M settlement approved in NT Stolen Generation class action
A judge has approved a $50.45 million settlement in a class action by family members and deceased estates of the Northern Territory Stolen Generations. He has also approved a 13 per cent funding commission by way of a common fund order, saying debates about CFOs had become “lost in the label”.
‘Too simplistic’: Judges’ support for disclaimer challenged in class action’s High Court appeal
The farmers leading a class action against Advanta Seeds over contaminated product have brought their case to the High Court, challenging an appeals court's holding that a disclaimer nullified the company's duty to protect growers against economic loss.
Judge rejects bid for second opt out notice in Merivale class action
A judge overseeing a $129 million underpayments class action against hospitality giant Merivale has rejected a bid for a second round of opt out notices, finding that even if the first round went straight to employees’ junk or spam folders, it did not follow that they had not been read.
Court to hear bid to join insurers to class action against Blue Sky, EY
The insurers of Blue Sky Alternative Investments are fighting a bid to be joined to a consolidated investor class action against the company and its auditor, EY.
PFAS class action silk slams upcoming mediation as ‘solemn farce’
A senior barrister acting for a class action over the use of allegedly toxic firefighting foam on military bases has slammed an upcoming mediation as a “solemn farce”, as the federal government has said it will not be ready to commit to a settlement. 
Shareholder class action targets Fletcher Building for ‘misleading’ FY17 forecasts
Shareholders have brought a class action in Australia against New Zealand-based Fletcher Building, alleging the company failed to disclose material information relating to its construction division.
Funder’s $7M cut in Fonterra class action up in the air amid CFO uncertainty
A judge has indicated his willingness to approve a $25 million settlement in a class action against dairy co-op Fonterra, but deferred the question of the funder's cut until after the Full Court rules on whether the court has the power to make a common fund order at settlement.
KPMG class action applicants might bring CFO question to a head
The applicants in a shareholder class action against KPMG and former directors of defunct mining company CuDeco might press for clarity on the question of common fund orders in light of a ruling Tuesday morning that further split the Federal Court on the issue.
Law firm’s estimated costs in PFAS class action ‘excessive’, court says
A judge has found a law firm's estimated fees for representing the Commonwealth in a class action over the use of allegedly toxic firefighting foam on military bases are excessive, noting the government has already forked over $12 million in defence costs.
Class action members benefit when funder’s payout in line with risk, judge says
In reasons for approving a $41 million deal to settle one of three shareholder class actions over Slater & Gordon's acquisition of a UK firm and awarding the funder 28 per cent, a judge has challenged a persistent notion that the interests of litigation funders and group members are at odds.