Westpac, Macquarie and ANZ are seeking class closure orders ahead of mediation in three class actions over flexible commissions schemes, telling a court hearing they will be “completely at sea” without a better idea of the class size.
The Federal Court’s recently retired top judge has landed on his feet with his appointment by the court as referee to determine which of a group of competing firms should dole out a $300 million settlement that resolved the J&J pelvic mesh class actions.
A class action of bond holders accusing Virgin Australia of failing to disclose its true financial position in a 2019 prospectus for a capital raising wants a contentious indemnity clause in the airline’s DOCA narrowed, in proceedings a judge has said “increasingly resemble a farce”.
Boutique litigation firm Banton Group has hired Laura Keily and Ryan McCrosson as name partners, as as the firm eyes expansion into the US, UK and Cayman markets.
A judge who eviscerated a prior bid by a law firm and funder to take home 60 per cent of a $5 million class action settlement with Tyro has allowed them to net half of the proceeds, questioning whether some of the costs amounted to a “complete breach” of legal professional duties.
The judge overseeing a class action against Qoin cryptocurrency issuer BPS Financial and several related companies has questioned the level of precision required of the pleadings, as the company fights the applicant’s bid to amend its case for the fourth time.
A third law firm has launched class actions against Hyundai and Kia, setting the stage for a courtroom battle to determine which team of solicitors can bring cases over alleged defective engines against the Korean car makers.
The last remaining class action against the Department of Defence over the use of alleged toxic firefighting foam at a military base in Jervis Bay has settled for $22 million, from which $5 million will be deducted for legal costs.
A judge overseeing a class action by family members and deceased estates of the Northern Territory Stolen Generations, which settled for $50.45 million, has said the case was a “positive example” of representative actions.
Class action firms and funders will set their sights on claims related to environmental, social and governance investing, says Clayton Utz’s new litigation partner Matthew Spain, but whether the game is worth the candle remains to be seen.