The parties in a ‘sham’ contracting class action brought on behalf of telecommunications workers have both lost bids to recover interlocutory costs, with a judge noting that costs orders against funded litigants should be the exception rather than the rule in Fair Work litigation.
The Opal Tower owners’ corporation has opted out of a class action seeking compensation on behalf of hundreds of apartment owners in the scandal-plagued building.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has refused to provide sought-after documents to the lead applicants of a joint class action against it until AUSTRAC grants permission, citing concerns over possible criminal breaches if it hands over the material without the agency’s approval.
Insurance giant Allianz is facing a class action over allegedly “poor value” or worthless car and motorcycle insurance products.
The parents of an Australian national who was killed aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 have successfully appealed a decision blocking them from participating in the settlement of a class action, with an appeals court judge describing as “disturbing” the conduct of their legal team in the group proceeding.
Two law firms that filed competing shareholder class actions against construction giant Boral have asked the court to permanently stay the other’s proceeding, after the judge overseeing the matter said he might wait until the High Court’s ruling on the AMP class action beauty parade before deciding which class action should move forward.
Global animal health company Zoetis has told the lead applicants in a class action over horse vaccines to “put up or shut up” and produce evidence disclosing an alleged scientific link between the hendra virus vaccine and certain alleged adverse side effects.
The lead applicants in a class action against The Cosmetic Institute have added 11 cosmetic surgeons to the lawsuit, alleging they conducted breast augmentation surgery in an “incompetent” manner.
DLA Piper has hired a partner to build up its finance dispute resolution and class actions practice in Australia.
Maddens has once again been criticised for its non-compliant costs agreements, three months after receiving similar feedback from a Victoria Supreme Court judge overseeing the firm’s bushfire class actions.