Allens

Recovery of legal costs has been capped in a case over Woodside’s $16.5 billion Scarborough gas venture that will give the Federal Court the first chance to weigh whether an environment plan complies with the law.

AUSTRAC wants Star to pay a $400 million penalty for breaching anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws, while the company claims a penalty of more than $100 million would tip it into liquidation. 

Pembroke Resources has lost its appeal bid over the meaning of “restricted land” after the private equity-backed miner argued a court’s ruling could impinge on plans for a $1 billion steel-making coal mine in Queensland.

A judge has found that expert reports submitted by Clive Palmer and his company Mineralogy in a fight against CITIC over royalty payments for the Yabulu Refinery present a “fresh case" and don't comply with court orders. 

Squire Patton Boggs has recruited a private equity specialist from Allens for its Sydney corporate practice.

Allens has added a Baker McKenzie partner to its restructuring practice in Sydney. 

Rio Tinto has signed a $430 million partnership agreement with Japan's Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. to fast track development of its copper-gold project in Western Australia's Great Sandy Desert.

Gilbert + Tobin has snagged an Allens partner with expertise on major transactions and projects for its energy, infrastructure and resources group.

A court has approved a $64 million settlement in a consumer class action against the NAB units MLC Trustees and NULIS Nominees, with 69 per cent of the settlement sum to go to group members.