Medtronic owned Covidien and two other medical device manufacturers have been hit with a class action on behalf of thousands of women who claim to have suffered lifelong complications from the devices, the third class action over pelvic mesh implants brought in Australia.
A settlement has been reached in three class action against the Commonwealth of Australia over the use of allegedly toxic firefighting foam at government military bases.
Deloitte has lost its appeal of a ruling in a shareholder class action over the collapse of Hastie Group that compelled the production of audit files taken by a partner from the accounting giant’s litigation room, in a ruling that described the actions of the partner as “bordering on contempt” and slammed Deloitte for “cynically” exploiting the situation.
Supermarket chain Woolworths, which is facing a class action over its staff underpayments, has admitted the amount owed to workers is at least $315 million, far higher than the company’s initial estimate of $200 million to $300 million.
A company owned by mining magnate Clive Palmer has lost its bid to temporarily block funding for a class action over the troubled Coolum Palmer Resort, with the Federal Court finding that special levies garnered from villa owners to back the proceedings were above board and legal.
A ruling is expected Thursday in an appeal by the partnership of Deloitte over the production of audit files that were apparently stolen from the accounting giant’s litigation room, a high-stakes decision that will clarify the limits of a partnership’s right to claim privilege against self-incrimination.
A judge has questioned whether he should sign off on a $49.5 million settlement in a class action against National Australia Bank over allegedly worthless credit card insurance, which he said had a “fundamental flaw” because it did not contain a provision automatically cancelling group members’ policies.
Financial services provider IOOF may have beaten back regulatory action, but it still faces the wrath of shareholders, with a new class action claiming the firm engaged in corporate misconduct that includes insider trading, front running and breaches of trustee duties.
Westpac has criticised Shine Lawyers for allegedly turning a registration and opt out notice to class action members into a ‘sales pitch’ designed to book-build for the firm, saying the High Court’s recent common fund ruling forbade approval of anything designed to boost the commercial viability of a case.
Supermarket giant Coles may be hit with a class action after it was revealed on Tuesday that the company owes staff in its supermarket and liquor businesses at least $20 million in pay.