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Callide explosion report commissioned by Norton Rose not privileged, court says
A report into an explosion at a major Queensland power station that left nearly half a million people without power is not protected by legal professional privilege, with a judge finding public statements about the report show it was not commissioned for the dominant purpose of providing legal advice.
Fees, commission to eat up half of $40M settlement in RCR Tomlinson class action
A judge has approved a $40 million settlement in a shareholder class action against collapsed engineering firm RCR Tomlinson, with almost half of the settlement to go towards a funder’s commission and legal fees. 
Ord Minnett loses wealth adviser’s case over wage entitlements
Ord Minnett must pay years of wages and other entitlements to a wealth adviser who was only remunerated by commission payments, after a judge found he was covered by the finance industry award, in a decision that could reverberate throughout the industry. 
‘We’re not a legal aid agency’: Judge says directors can’t rep investment firms
A judge has scorned a bid by the directors of John Bridgeman and JB Markets to represent the companies in a case brought by investment fund Benjamin Hornigold, suggesting the companies seek pro bono or community legal assistance.
RAMS mulls cross-claim against franchisees in class action
Westpac subsidiary RAMS has flagged a cross-claim against disgruntled franchisees who say their agreements were terminated without proper cause, citing possible breaches of the National Credit Act. 
Former Cranbrook teacher sues after student allegedly blackmailed her for nude photos
A former maths teacher at exclusive Sydney school Cranbrook who alleges she was blackmailed by a student has filed proceedings alleging breaches of the Fair Work Act by her former employer.
$8.8B Sigma, Chemist Warehouse merger raises competition concerns: ACCC
The ACCC has flagged competition concerns about drug supplier Sigma Healthcare's proposed $8.8 billion reverse merger with Chemist Warehouse, saying the tie-up could harm independent pharmacies and lessen competition in pharmacy retail.
Ashurst adds two partners to Perth team
Ashurst has lured two partners from competing firms to join its Perth office, bolstering its restructuring and investigations offerings for clients in the energy sector.
Judge worries about declassing COVID-19 business interruption cases
A judge has raised concerns about bids to declass group proceedings over alleged business interruption losses during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the thousands of policyholders who registered for the class actions might reap more from the cases than making claims directly with their insurers.
‘So far on the wrong side’: Santos wants more evidence of EDO’s conduct in Barossa pipeline case
Santos is seeking to wrangle further documents from the Environmental Defenders Office to support its bid for costs orders against the law firm, telling a court there must have been "glaring deficiencies" in the standard of its services in running its challenge to construction of a pipeline for the energy company's $5.6 billion Barossa gas project.