A class action has been filed against the federal government on behalf of First Nations people in the Northern Territory who were allegedly denied wages owed for work performed over a nearly 40-year period.
Describing the federal government’s income-averaging debt collection program as a “shameful chapter”, a judge has approved a $112 million settlement in the Robodebt class action, saying the agreement was fair and reasonable.
Combatting “opportunistic” class actions is one of the main drivers behind proposed legislation to reform Australia’s continuous disclosure laws, but the federal treasury department has brushed off a Senate committee’s request for a list of cases apparently deserving of the derogatory tag.
A top intellectual property barrister who has worked on cutting-edge cases that raise novel questions about the patentability of inventions has been appointed to the Federal Court.
Ben Roberts-Smith took the stand on Thursday after publishers accused of defaming him detailed how the war veteran allegedly murdered six civilians and engaged in a cover up campaign, with the soldier saying he was “devastated” by the allegations.
Video game developer Epic Games has asked the Full Federal Court to overturn an “illogical” decision sending its competition lawsuit against Apple to California, saying the move would have a “chilling effect” on the enforcement of Australia’s competition laws.
News publisher Fairfax has been accused of attempts to intimidate Ben Roberts-Smith’s lawyer in contempt of court by publishing inaccurate media reports that the solicitor is in a romantic relationship with the former soldier, after a judge said the reports had made him “uncomfortable”.
The government’s proposed changes to the country’s continuous disclosure regime substitutes a “bright line legal test” with a “very very messy law” that will weaken enforcement and could undermine the integrity of Australia’s capital markets, a Senate committee has heard.
Chevron has mostly failed in its lawsuit accusing Australian petrol station company Ampol of infringing its Caltex trade marks, with a judge finding that Chevron’s case sought exclusive use over the colour red and was “at odds with commercial sense”.
A former client is seeking damages of up to $130 million from HWL Ebsworth in a lawsuit accusing the law firm of giving negligent advice on a joint venture to develop land.