Most Recent
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. 
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.
‘The whole purpose is undermined’: Judge irked by referee pick in AUSTRAC case against Star
The judge overseeing AUSTRAC’s case against Star Entertainment has questioned the parties’ agreement to refer questions of fact and law to a former judge for determination, rather than an anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing expert. 
‘Very unwise’ for Bruce Lehrmann to be unrepresented on appeal, experts say
Former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann has yet to engage lawyers to pursue his appeal of a judge’s finding that he raped colleague Brittany Higgins in Parliament House, but while he has the right to represent himself, experts have told Lawyerly it would be "very unwise" for him to run the case on his own.
SkyCity hit with $67M penalty in AUSTRAC case
A judge has ordered SkyCity to pay a $67 million penalty in AUSTRAC’s case alleging it allowed $4 billion in suspicious transactions, finding it was an "appropriate" sum, even when compared with the $450 million fine handed to Crown last July.
Unrepresented Bruce Lerhmann appeals rape ruling in defamation case
Former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann has filed an appeal of last month's judgment that he raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House, an appeal which may fail at the first hurdle.
Judge gives vent to class action pet peeves in approving $1M Axsesstoday settlement
Approving a settlement between insurers and group members in an investor class action against lender Axsesstoday, a judge has aired his frustration with expansive confidentiality provisions and deeds that “misapprehend the nature of the court’s role” in dealing with group members’ claims. 
What’s unjust about them? Full Court appears open to contingency fees for class action lawyers
Hearing arguments Tuesday on whether lawyers should be permitted to earn contingency fees in Federal Court class actions, judges on a Full Court bench appeared to lean in favour of allowing so-called solicitors' common fund orders, rejecting claims they are "unjust". 
Jaguar class action judge did not ‘become a witness’ in siding with G+T, says Full Court
While it was unfair for a judge to pick Gilbert + Tobin to run a class action against Jaguar Land Rover on the condition that it lower its funding rate, the judge was entitled to consider the law firm’s experience in a similar case against Toyota, an appeals court has said in its reasons. 
TV presenter Lisa Wilkinson seeks $1.8M in costs in Lehrmann defamation case
Former Network Ten Lisa Wilkinson in seeking $1.8 million in costs in Bruce Lehrmann's failed defamation case over an episode of The Project that aired Brittany Higgins' rape allegations.