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Court can’t use general power under class action regime to dispense with opt out notice, judge says
A judge overseeing the Montara oil spill class action has found the Federal Court's broad discretion under the class action regime is "outflanked" by the need to give group members a chance to opt out. But resolving that question on Thursday -- which has divided the courts -- caused a further wrinkle ahead of a hearing to weigh a settlement in the case.
Silk’s COVID-19 diagnosis won’t delay students’ discrimination trial
A group of Jewish and Israeli former students who have accused a Victorian high school of allowing racially-charged bullying have defeated a bid by the state government to adjourn evidence at trial after its silk was diagnosed with COVID-19. 
Former PM Scott Morrison’s secret ministries ‘corrosive of trust’: report
A inquiry into former prime minister Scott Morrison's appointment as shadow minister of five government portfolios has found the secret appointments "fundamentally undermined" the principles of responsible government.
Directed Electronics wins suit over ‘reprehensible’ theft by ex-manager
Automotive electronics company Directed Electronics has largely prevailed in a five-year-old lawsuit alleging a former manager misappropriated company information and reaped $3.6 million in commissions through a secret side agreement with South Korean giant Hanhwa.
Sports betting class action may drop remaining claims against lawyer
The lead applicant in a class action on behalf of investors who sank $12.3 million into an allegedly fraudulent sports betting scheme run by convicted conman Peter Foster may drop the case after a partner in the scheme filed for bankruptcy.
Judge asks if tiered contingency fee ‘meaningless’ in Crown class action
A judge has questioned a tiered contingency fee arrangement in a proposed group costs order by the law firm running a shareholder class action against Crown, asking whether the lower-end percentages were “meaningless”.
Allianz loses fight with Probuild over $1B West Side Place development bonds
Insurer Allianz has lost its bid to claw back millions in performance bonds provided to collapsed building company Probuild in relation to works at a $1 billion development in the Melbourne CBD.
Court tosses Equivac horse vaccine class action against Zoetis
A judge has dismissed a class action brought against animal health giant Zoetis over alleged side effects resulting from its Hendra virus horse vaccine, finding there were “too many uncertainties” in the applicant’s evidence.
Law firms ordered to join forces in Blue Sky, EY class action
A judge has ordered two law firms that filed competing shareholder class actions against failed Blue Sky Alternative Investments and auditor EY to team up to run a consolidated proceeding, despite opposition by one firm.
Judge doubts law firm gave ‘full and frank advice’ on fees in Drake’s class action
Keeping up her scrutiny of fee disclosures by Adero Law in employment class actions launched in her court, a judge has questioned whether the law firm breached its fiduciary duty to the lead applicant in litigation against Drakes Supermarkets.