Judgment

A judge has approved a $13.5 million settlement in a class action against the director of collapsed sandalwood producer Quintis, but has reduced deductions sought by the plaintiff's lawyers and funder, and denied a payout to the funder of a competing case.

A Federal Circuit Court judge who has been in the spotlight for his decisions has scolded a Perth law firm and barrister facing a sexual harassment case, after they sought to vacate the trial date due to counsel availability.

The director of a documentary about a US narcotics officer during the 1990s 'war on drugs' has won his copyright suit against the film's producers, with a judge finding his moral rights under the Copyright Act were infringed by their failure to credit him as the director.

Bayer and Teva have lost their challenge to Indian drug maker Cipla’s extension of its patent for an allergy medication, with IP Australia finding a failure to pay renewal fees on time was due to a genuine error. 

A judge has thrown out a class action led by the father of famed mining investor Nathan Tinkler over claims ASX-listed Whitehaven Coal failed to fulfil an implied term of a $150 million share subscription. 

The tax office has won the appointment of special purpose liquidators to entities behind a number of Queensland construction projects, as it seeks to claw back a claimed $16 million debt.

Courts continue to disagree on the meaning of 'serious harm' in defamation law, a threshold test introduced in 2021 that has raised the bar for plaintiffs claiming a publication has damaged their reputations.

Octet Finance has won a $38,000 judgment against the ex-CFO of defunct pie maker Mrs Mac’s, with a court finding he failed to correct a statement that the trade financier would likely be repaid in full following a $4 million recapitalisation.

Healthcare equipment company Ansell has won default judgment against an unknown threat actor behind an October data breach, with a judge citing similar orders made following a cyberattack against law firm HWL Ebsworth. 

Roberts Construction has won indemnity costs against a company that unsuccessfully pursued a winding up application against it, as well as a personal costs order against its director.