Judgment

The bankruptcy trustees of a former director of Sydney builder Quasar have won their bid to be joined to proceedings by the company's liquidators over money he allegedly transferred to his former wife, over her objections.

A man who was detained in hotel quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic has lost his bid for a jury trial in his case against the Victorian government alleging false imprisonment and human rights breaches.

A German food company has lost its bid to register 'Nadi' as a trade mark, with an IP Australia delegate finding the name was not capable of distinguishing the company's goods because it is also the name of Fiji's second-largest town.

Payday lender Sunshine Loans has been hit with $5.5 million in penalties for charging vulnerable customers almost $300,000 in fees, with a judge giving limited weight to its claim that it relied on legal advice when introducing the unlawful charges.

A Sydney barrister found guilty of contempt in a fight with his chambers over $112,000 in floor fees has been fined $25,000, with a judge calling his apologies “mealy-mouthed” and “late in the day”.

The Fair Work Commission has found that a solicitor who entered into a contract akin to an independent contractor agreement with Linkpoint Lawyers was an employee of the firm.

A $1 billion dispute between the owner and manager of the troubled Callide power station in Queensland will be reallocated, after a judge conceded that his knowledge of a key expert report could create an apprehension of bias. 

Three Keybridge directors breached their duties when they approved a $4.75 million bonus for CEO Nicholas Bolton and arranged for the financially distressed company to advance Bolton a loan to acquire a $20 million property in Lake Como, a judge has found. 

The High Court has upheld an appeals court ruling that Billabong founder Gordon Merchant is liable for a $31 million tax bill after selling his company, finding there was no other "meaningful or realistic" objective of the sale.

A judge has tossed developer ApyHome's appeal of the refusal of its plan for an 88-lot development in Lawrence, NSW, finding it would have an unacceptable impact on the local car ferry service.