Two executives of failed car washing franchise Geowash have failed in their attempt to overturn a $2.7 million penalty for overcharging and misleading franchisees, with the Full Court finding they had engaged in “a consistent pattern of conduct which was deceitful and dishonest”.
The power to make common fund orders in class actions is a question before the High Court a second time, but the justices aren’t likely to quell the conflict simmering in the courts below, at least until they have a concrete order before them.
Tabcorp-owned Tatts Group has appealed a finding from the Commissioner of Taxation that it cannot deduct a $120 million lotto licence from it assessable income for the 2017 financial year.
A judge has awarded $43 million to National Australia Bank in its lawsuit against former directors of failed retailer Dick Smith, but threw out claims against company directors brought by HSBC and the retailer’s receivers.
Opal Tower builder Icon and structural engineer WSP Structures have been joined as defendants in a class action brought by property owners, who have also added a slew of consumer law claims to the complex proceedings.
A former client is seeking damages of up to $130 million from HWL Ebsworth in a lawsuit accusing the law firm of giving negligent advice on a joint venture to develop land.
A judge has gutted a defence and counterclaim filed by the biggest unitholder in investment fund Vale in a battle with a litigation funder and liquidators over agreements to join two class actions against S&P Capital, a fight that threatened to hold up one of the class actions.
The ACCC has suffered a stinging defeat in its criminal cartel action against mobility equipment provider Country Care, its CEO and a former employee, with a jury handing down not guilty verdicts on all eight charges in the case.
Freedom Foods’ dispute with Blue Diamond Growers over an almond licensing deal will be heard by an arbitrator in California after an appeals court rejected the company’s plea for an Australian judge to determine the case.
A Worrells liquidator facing ASIC proceedings seeking to have his registration cancelled has won costs from the regulator after a judge found he was entitled to a “coherent pleading” and ordered the regulator to file a statement of claim.