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QBE says infectious disease exclusion applies to COVID-19 claims in Victoria
While a first test case in NSW rejected insurers' interpretation of infectious disease exclusions in COVID-19 business interruption policies, potentially putting the industry on the hook for billions of dollars in claims, QBE says the law is on its side in Victoria.
Class action mediation ‘pointless’ without unregistered group member data, Pitcher Partners says
A judge has refused a bid by accounting firms Pitcher Partners and EY to access share trading data of unregistered group members in a securities class action over advice to Slater & Gordon, despite claims upcoming mediation will be "pointless" without the information.
Gina Rinehart’s daughter loses appeal bid to dodge arbitration over $4B family trust
The NSW Court of Appeal has refused to grant Bianca Rinehart leave to appeal a decision staying a lawsuit against her mother Gina Rinehart over ownership of a $4 billion family trust.
Judge won’t let two class actions against Freedom Foods, Deloitte run in parallel
A judge has rejected an application by the plaintiffs in two class actions against Freedom Foods and Deloitte to run their cases side-by-side, but said she would have granted a bid to consolidate the proceedings had that been sought.
Ashurst targets gender parity in leadership ranks by 2026
Big Six firm Ashurst has committed to achieving gender parity among its partners and senior business service leaders within the next five years.
Zoom fatigue hits barristers hard as COVID-19 keeps courts online
The migration to the digital courtroom is taking its toll on the nation’s barristers, who face increased challenges and levels of fatigue from the mental load of conducting hearings remotely.
ATO wins info on 1,500 tax docs, teeing up potential privilege battle with CUB
Iconic Australian beer manufacturer Carlton & United Breweries has lost an appeal seeking to shield information about 1,500 allegedly privileged documents from the Australian Taxation Office.
Fairfax to compensate PNG minister, ‘ludicrous’ objection to orders shot down
Nine subsidiary Fairfax Media has agreed to pay compensation to a Papua New Guinea politician who sued the publisher for defamation for allegedly engaging in a “smear campaign”, with a judge making an order of compensation despite a “ludicrous” objection from Fairfax.
Airservices appeals loss to union over use of ‘grey days’ policy
Government-owned Airservices Australia has appealed an order that it pay $72,450 in fines to a civilian air traffic controllers union for withdrawing guidelines for standby shifts, which a judge found was a “serious breach” of an enterprise agreement.
Qantas can’t stay penalty hearing in outsourcing dispute with TWU
Qantas has lost its second attempt to delay a hearing on further relief pending an appeal in its outsourcing spat with the Transport Workers Union, with a judge finding a stay would prejudice the union more than the airline.