Class Actions

A former accounts and office manager has resolved her case against class action firm Bannister Law alleging she was required to work while on leave and was fired after complaining about bullying.

A law firm is considering an ‘unprecedented’ move to reconvene its class action on behalf of Robodebt victims, which can only happen with the Commonwealth’s permission, but the Albanese government might consent as a way to score political points, an expert has told Lawyerly.

The applicants in competing class actions against Downer EDI have set out their proposals for the courts overseeing the cases, with two calling for orders staying the proceedings of their rivals, and another seeking consolidation.

A lawyer behind a settled class action against the previous government’s Robodebt disaster has called for the case to be reconvened in the wake of a report that blasted the “crude and cruel” scheme, as Government Service Minister Bill Shorten suggests victims could sue individual Coalition ministers.

A damning report by a royal commission into the former federal government’s Robodebt scheme has recommended several individuals be referred for civil action or criminal prosecution, finding it was “a crude and cruel mechanism, neither fair nor legal”.

A judge overseeing a class action over the government’s total ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia has challenged the applicant’s bid to base group member damages on an increased number of cows that could have been exported, three years after the lead applicant won a $2.9 million judgment.

Beach Energy has struck back at a shareholder class action over alleged misleading earnings projections for its oil and gas reserves in the Cooper Basin, saying it had reasonable grounds for its rosy predictions for production.

Toyota has denied allegations it fitted up to 500,000 diesel vehicles with engine devices designed to scam emissions tests, in a class action that could be “one of the biggest” in Australian history. 

Korean car makers Hyundai and Kia have filed their defences in class actions over alleged engine defects, arguing owners cannot bring claims if their vehicles were repaired and that they are not responsible for any faults said to be caused by their manufacturing partner.

The lead applicant in a class action against AMP Financial Planning on behalf of 542 advisers has won $813,000 in damages after a judge found it could not retreat from a promise to buy back adviser businesses at four times their revenue.