Jet builder Bombardier has lost its appeal of a ruling by the Western Australia Supreme Court that it has jurisdiction to hear a multimillion dollar case brought by the company of WA billionaire Tim Roberts over the sale of aircraft to wealthy Australians.
UK-based company Hill & Smith Holdings has won court approval to expand its patent case against Australia-based Safe Barriers Pty Ltd for allegedly infringing its patented road barrier system to include a former employee who jumped ship to the rival road safety product maker.
The lead plaintiffs in two shareholder class actions against Dick Smith can amend their case against accounting firm Deloitte, less than two months before a mammoth hearing is set to commence.
An IOOF subsidiary has appealed a $76.6 million judgment finding it breached its duty in the sale of a 46,000 hectare plantation by collapsed forestry giant Gunns Group and shooting down its cross claim seeking to pass liability onto law firm Sparke Helmore.
A law firm has dodged a $6.5 million negligence claim by a Tasmanian agricultural business over advice supplied about agreements entered into with a division of collapsed forestry giant Gunns Limited, with a judge slamming the company director’s evidence as “rambling and non-responsive”.
Running a law firm is not without risk, chief among them staring down a lawsuit by a client, an ex-partner or employee, even a rival firm. Last year, Australian firms faced numerous actions alleging everything from sex discrimination to negligence.
Aldi Foods’ trade mark for one of its clothing brands has been revoked, with an IP Australia delegate finding the mark is “wholly descriptive” and incapable of distinguishing its goods.
The judge overseeing three class actions against the Commonwealth alleging contamination from the use of toxic firefighting foam at three naval bases has shot down the plaintiffs’ bid for a formal communication reminding two referees of their role in the proceedings.
Two Deutsche Bank subsidiaries have filed Federal Court proceedings against Spain seeking enforcement of a €59.6 million ($96.3 million) award for losses incurred as a result of changes in the country’s renewable regulatory framework.
National Australia Bank will be hit this year with an estimated $750 million in fines stemming from its fees for no service conduct and potential breaches of money laundering laws, analysts have predicted.