Judgment

A judge has applied a recent High Court decision, which had a significant effect on survivor claims in Australia, in a historic sexual abuse case against the Marist Brothers, despite no explicit pleading of the necessary claim.

In a ruling that will have a significant impact on retailers with a young workforce, like Woolworths and Coles, the Fair Work Commission has done away with discounted rates for 18-20 year olds that work in the retail, fast food and pharmacy sectors. 

A NSW appeals court has found objectors have no right to weigh in on development applications once they reach conciliation in the Land and Environment Court, and that judges don't have to consider all material before the court. 

A group member in a class action against Johnson & Johnson unit Depuy that resolved 14 years ago has successfully challenged his compensation award, with an appeals court finding the independent counsel who calculated his payout was bound by rules of procedural fairness. 

Mastercard has lost its challenge to a ruling requiring it to hand over communications about agreements with retailers in a misuse of market power case brought by the competition regulator. 

A class action has failed to prove that Alucobond panel manufacturer 3A Composites and supplier Halifax Vogel misled consumers about the allegedly flammable cladding and breached consumer guarantees. 

A judge has slapped defunct crypto firm Binance Australia Derivatives with a $10 million penalty for misclassifying around 500 retail customers as eligible to invest in risky derivatives intended for sophisticated investors. 

The WA Court of Appeal has upheld the dismissal of a defamation case after the plaintiff failed to issue a concerns noting before bringing proceedings, resolving a novel question about the application of NSW law in the state.

A judge has fined Queensland mining equipment company Qteq $5 million and chair Simon Ashton a record $1 million for attempting to engage in cartel conduct.

A class action has failed to prove 3A Composites and Halifax Vogel misled consumers about allegedly flammable Alucobond cladding, with a judge finding developers and others were responsible for ensuring that it was safely used.