The contradictor appointed to represent group members in an application for approval of a $98 million settlement of two franchisee class actions against 7-Eleven has raised “grave concerns” about criticism by the senior partner of the law firm running the proceedings.
Nando’s Australia has been criticised for claiming that its costs in a dispute against a single franchisee could reach close to $2 million, with an associate judge saying the bill could kickstart a precedent that leads to “the end of litigation as we know it”.
The funder that was bankrolling a class action alleging pharmacy giant Priceline exercised an “overly prescriptive level of control” on franchisees which limited their profitability has withdrawn its support for the proceeding.
Franchisees of the Hog’s Breath Cafe restaurant chain are challenging a ruling that they hand over $1.23 million in security for the defence costs of the franchisor in their class action.
Evidence of anxiety felt by 7-Eleven franchisees leading class actions against the convenience store giant was relevant to whether the funder could earn a $25 million commission from the proceeds of a settlement, a court has heard.
Australian Mercedes-Benz dealers behind a $650 million lawsuit over the car maker’s decision to move to a fixed-price agency model allege the car maker engaged Deloitte as a consultant so it could “spin” its real reasons for making the change.
Franchisees of the Hog’s Breath Cafe restaurant chain must pay $1.23 million in security for legal costs in their class action against the franchisor, and the matter is stayed until they can pony up the first installment.
A class action against franchise giant Retail Food Group wants to head off any challenge to its funding agreement with a court order that the financing arrangement is exempt from controversial regulations requiring group proceedings to be run as managed investment schemes.
General Motors is facing a lawsuit by a Holden car dealer who allegedly suffered up to $9.26 million in financial loss following the car maker’s decision to pull the iconic brand in Australia.
Mercedes-Benz has responded to a $650 million lawsuit by Australian dealers over its decision to move to a fixed-price agency model, saying it had a “legitimate commercial interest” in making the change and denying that dealer agreements were “perpetual” in their terms.