Judges

Chief Justice Susan Kiefel has decried the low number of women barristers appearing in the High Court, questioning whether there is a “price” to pay for state and federal policies focused on appointing more female judges.

Engineering services firm G&S has lost a bid to shield emails about “the need to obtain legal advice” in a $270 million dispute with the operator of a NSW open-cut coal mine.

An appeals court has dismissed a challenge brought by a Snap Fitness franchisee to a ruling that found insurer Lloyd’s could rely on a conformity clause in its policy to deny business interruption coverage to the NSW gym for losses related to COVID-19.

Online book retailer Booktopia has agreed to a $6 million penalty to resolve action brought by the consumer regulator alleging its refund policy was misleading.

A judge has barred a retired Moore Stephens partner from bringing all but a single claim against a former colleague who allegedly failed to account to the partnership for unauthorised profit in excess of $11 million.

The special purpose receiver acting for debenture holders of defunct Banksia Securities was right to reject a confidential settlement -- believed to be for $10.6 million -- offered by the disgraced lawyers behind a scandal-ridden class action, a court has found.

Nine sports presenter Erin Molan has won a substantial payout from the Daily Mail over an article concerning an on-air remark she made about the pronunciation of National Rugby League Polynesian player names, despite failing to prove the story painted her as a racist.

A judge has granted the liquidators of Cornerstone Investment Australia leave to sign a funding agreement for the insolvent tertiary education provider’s $56 million professional negligence claim against accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

A judge has ruled that oil company Inpex can call on a $467 million bank guarantee in its contract battle with Korean shipbuilder Daewoo over the contentious Ichthys LNG project off the coast of Western Australia.

An appeals court has found that two former executives of collapsed electronics retailer Dick Smith should pay the company’s receivers $11.8 million in damages for approving a dividend payment the company could not afford.