A judge has approved a $9.5 million settlement in a class action against McMillan Shakespeare as fair and reasonable, allowing a common fund order and a nearly 30 percent commission for the litigation funder despite previously raising “real concerns” about the small portion flowing to group members.
The High Court has dismissed an appeal by Westpac challenging a ruling that found the bank breached its duties to customers by providing personal financial advice as part of a telephone campaign encouraging customers to roll over external superannuation accounts.
The funder behind a class action against McMillan Shakespeare has warned against the court beating it up like a ‘pinata’ in a settlement approval hearing in which the judge expressed “real concerns” about the portion of a $9.5 million settlement earmarked for group members.
A judge has ordered the winding up of M101 Nominees, the issuer of $67 million in notes promoted by James Mawhinney’s failed Mayfair 101, which is alleged to owe investors over $211 million.
The High Court will hand down its ruling Wednesday in a high-stakes case between ASIC and Westpac that is expected to clarify the line between personal and general financial advice.
ASIC chair James Shipton will step down from his role despite being cleared by an independent review into $118,000 in payments related to his relocation from the US in 2018.
While a Federal Court judge recently promised to advance a long-running criminal cartel case against several investment banks and individuals over a $2.5 billion ANZ share placement, a separate judge will soon hear a privilege dispute over documents from whistleblower JPMorgan that promises to further delay the case.
Fonterra has hit back at claims in a class action that the dairy giant misled farmers and breached its supply agreements when it slashed milk prices and sought a clawback in 2016, saying it warned farmers of the “extreme” volatility in the market.
Sydney businesswoman Melissa Caddick, who went missing a day after police raided her home two months ago as part of a fraud investigation, is believed to be alive, according to police.
Troubled food and beverage manufacturer Freedom Foods has denied a former company secretary and group general counsel was protected by whistleblower laws, claiming it was entitled to fire her for “serious misconduct”.