An increase in the number of unfair dismissal cases and the addition of JobKeeper disputes has seen the general caseload of the Fair Work Commission jump by 30 per cent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, FWC President Justice Iain Ross AO told Lawyerly.
Hytera Communications has lost its latest attempt to adjourn an upcoming virtual trial in a copyright case brought by rival Motorola, despite concerns by the Chinese radio manufacturer that witnesses could be exposed to the coronavirus if forced to travel to give evidence.
The workplace umpire has jurisdiction to hear a case against Qantas and its budget subsidiary Jetstar brought by the union for licenced aircraft maintenance engineers stood down during the coronavirus pandemic, a judge has ruled in a blow to the airline.
A judge overseeing mining magnate Clive Palmer’s challenge to border closures by Western Australia and Queensland has delayed a hearing in the case for two weeks as WA’s expert responds to an urgent call for help from Victoria, which has seen a record surge in coronavirus cases.
A hearing on the validity of border closures by Western Australia and Queensland should be pushed off while WA’s expert responds to an urgent request by Victoria’s health authorities to help that state deal with its coronavirus outbreak, the Federal Court has been told.
A Virgin Australia unsecured bondholder has launched legal proceedings to uncover confidential details of the sale of the embattled airline to Bain Capital, with the administrators now facing three disputes in the wake of the administration.
Motorola has slammed Chinese radio manufacturer Hytera’s “disruptive and unsatisfactory” request to adjourn a highly anticipated copyright trial over the alleged theft of source code which is due to begin in three weeks.
The courts are to be congratulated for swiftly adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing virtual hearings, but barristers told Lawyerly they were raring to get back to in-person hearings, and cited numerous disadvantages of holding complex matters online.
The company that operates the Newmarch House nursing home in Sydney is facing a possible class action after a coronavirus outbreak at the facility resulted in the deaths of 19 residents.
Citing the “crippling financial impact” of the coronavirus pandemic, Australian swimwear company Seafolly has become the latest fashion retailer to enter voluntary administration.