A judge overseeing the defamation trial of former commando Heston Russell said he was “disturbed” by an ABC press release following the broadcaster’s decision to drop its public interest defence on the eve of trial, which was reinstated days later.
A judge hearing closing submissions in Heston Russell’s defamation case against the ABC has expressed âsignificant reservationsâ about evidence by the former commando and said that a âless than completeâ story could still be protected under the new public interest defence.
A judge has said that an underpayments class action’s challenge to hospitality giant Merivale’s argument that it does not owe back wages because it relied on an enterprise agreement it believed was valid should be heard before trial.Â
The judge hearing a trial in defamation cases by former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann against TV broadcasters ABC and Ten has said he expects both Lehrmann and alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins to take the witness stand.
A judge has blessed a $132.7 million settlement and a $33 million common fund order in a class action over toxic firefighting foam, saying he was ânot vexedâ by whether he had power to grant the funderâs payout despite the Full Court having reserved on the contentious issue.Â
A judge has approved a $41.45 million settlement in a pelvic mesh class action against manufacturers Covidien and TFS but has put off deciding on the costs of the firm that ran the case, saying it is ânext to uselessâ when law firms appoint their own costs consultants.
A class action against Virgin Australia has become a lawyersâ feast, with seven new firms entering the ring after a dozen insurers were joined to the action alleging the airline failed to disclose its true financial position in a $324 million capital raising prospectus.
A Blue Sky director has pointed the finger at auditor Ernst & Young in a class action alleging the collapsed investment firm misled shareholders by misstating its assets under management.Â
A judge has refused a lead applicantâs novel bid for financial information to use at settlement discussions in a group proceeding against Dixon Advisory.
SkyCity has set aside $45 million for its legal costs and a possible penalty in AUSTRAC proceedings alleging it allowed $4 billion in suspicious transactions at its casino.