Will we see an increase in class actions and funded litigation following the COVID-19 financial crisis similar to that following the global financial crisis? If there is an onslaught of corporate failures, including failed managed investment schemes, then such litigation seems likely to ensue. However, in the last year, Parliament and the courts have taken steps which might slow such litigious activity, says Susan Goodman of Holding Redlich.
Conservative talkback host Alan Jones has filed a defamation suit against public broadcaster SBS over a “tribute” aired on ‘The Feed’ which labelled him as someone who “spoke to the fears of every xenophobe and misogynist in the country”.
Nationwide News and journalist Miranda Devine have agreed to pay a “substantial” sum to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by nine-year old Quaden Bayles over Devine’s retweets of conspiracy theories suggesting a video of Bayles posted on social media following a bullying incident were fake.
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu has asked a court to toss a majority of claims in a lawsuit brought by 63-year-old partner Colin Brown over the firm’s alleged discriminatory retirement policy that he claims has cost him almost $4 million.
Mining giant BHP has been given the green light to bring allegations of fraud against competitor Cherwell Creek Coal in a long running dispute over mining rights.
A 63-year-old partner of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is suing the accounting giant and CEO Richard Deutsch alleging the firm’s mandatory retirement policy is discriminatory and has cost him almost $4 million.
A judge has told mining equipment provider Komatsu to consider whether its sex harassment policies and training are an “adequate” defence to serious allegations of harassment and bullying by a female employee.
Administrators for The PAS Group have failed in their bid to have almost $1.4M in rent declared an unsecured debt in the event the fashion retailer goes into liquidation amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Already facing action by the corporate regulator for alleged misleading and deceptive conduct and a potential class action, investment firm Mayfair 101 must now defend a lawsuit by former Liberal senator Julian McGauran, who is demanding the return of his $1 million investment.
Engineering firm Adcon has failed in a bid to block developer Icon from accessing a $396,000 bank guarantee after delays in the development of the Botanic Melbourne residential apartment complex.