A litigation funder whose cut of a $98 million settlement in franchise class actions against 7-Eleven was slashed in half is challenging a judge’s finding that “strong reasons” exist to refuse it a common fund order.
Restaurant chain Fogo Brazilia is facing a class action alleging it misled franchisees about the profitability of its businesses, with business owners also making claims against an employment law practice that drafted the franchise agreements.
The company behind the Ultimate Fighting Championship gym franchise has been ordered to pay $5 million to three franchisees after a judge found it misled them about businesses which were “near valueless” and unlikely to make profit.
A judge overseeing two 7-Eleven class actions has signed off on $2.25 million in costs incurred by the funder and lawyers in their pitched battle to win approval for the terms of a $98 million settlement, which included deductions of more than $44 million to cover commission and fees.
The costs billed by Nando’s Australia’s law firm for work on a “straightforward” judgment debtor examination of a franchisee — totalling almost a fifth of the debt — have been slashed, with a court finding the costs manifestly excessive.
The lead applicant in a franchisee class action against the Hog’s Breath Cafe restaurant chain is considering an application to declass the case it brought after losing a challenge to a $1.23 million security for costs order.
Car dealers that brought a class action against General Motors over its decision to retire the Holden brand in Australia are refuting the car maker’s claims that they did not mitigate their alleged losses, telling the court they signed 1-year support agreements which GM has yet to execute.
Convenience store giant 7-Eleven has lost its appeal of a $595,000 judgment handed down after a court found a franchisee signed a franchise agreement and invested almost $796,000 into a Melbourne store under false pretences.
A judge has declined a bid by former United Petroleum franchisees to stay two Federal Court proceedings in light of a class action against the petrol giant over the introduction of loss-making Pie Face stores, finding the suits have little in common.
Ultra Tune has failed to prove its managing director is mentally incapacitated and unable to give evidence at a sentencing hearing for contempt of court after he was seen earlier this week attending a hearing in a criminal case on charges of stalking his ex-girlfriend.