Real Estate

Johnson Winter Slattery has expanded its real estate practice, luring an experienced real estate special counsel who has worked at MinterEllison and Holding Redlich.

The Full Federal Court has revived an out-of-time defamation case over an episode of A Current Affair, finding that it would not have been reasonable to file the proceedings within a year given the “spectre of criminal proceedings” against Queensland man Geoffrey Landrey.

A law firm has reached a settlement with the lender of a property development in North Melbourne, paying $1 million to resolve claims it was negligent in preparing a loan agreement.

Investment manager Merricks Capital has resolved its case against a former managing director and two employees, who left the firm for a boutique run by financial commentator Peter Switzer and his son, Marty.

Lander & Rogers has lured away a Gadens veteran to bolster its real estate practice in Brisbane. 

A judge has rebuffed a developer’s bid to revive a $400 million lawsuit against an investor after it failed to comply with a guillotine order, saying it was not an adequate explanation that the firm of solicitors acting for it lacked the resources of the defendant’s Big Six outfit. 

A unit of petrol store chain EG Australia has sued Ashurst and LegalVision alleging they breached their implied duty of care through advice given to Woolworths about the assignment of a disputed Sydney petrol station lease.

Lendlease’s plan to sell a portfolio of residential community projects to Stockland for $1.3 billion has raised concerns for the ACCC, which worries the transaction may substantially lessen competition in the supply of residential masterplanned community housing lots in four regions.

K&L Gates has lured three partners from rival firms to bolster its corporate, IP and real estate offerings across the country, including a former principal of Davies Collison Cave. 

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.