White Collar
Banksia barrister Norman O’Bryan avoids jail for attempted fraud
Former silk Norman O’Bryan has avoided jail time after pleading guilty in a criminal case over his role in the scandal-ridden Banksia Securities class action.
Appeals
Full Court tosses appeal in live exports class action
The Full Federal Court has dismissed an appeal in a class action over the government’s 2011 live exports ban, which will have consequences for the damages that can be awarded to cattle exporters.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Coles misled customers with ‘Down Down’ discounts, judge finds
A judge has found Coles engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct when advertising products with a 'Down Down' discount, in a win for the consumer regulator and a class action.
Class Actions
High Court to hear Victorian public housing demolition class action
The High Court will hear the appeal of a failed class action over the planned demolition of inner-city public housing towers in Melbourne, which will involve consideration of the right to remain in settled social communities.
Class Actions
Maurice Blackburn seeks 35% GCO in fast code bet class action
Maurice Blackburn wants a 35 per cent cut of any settlement in a class action against the operator of sports betting sites Ladbrokes and Neds -- 2 per cent higher than a group costs order in a similar case against Sportsbet -- telling the court there was likely to be a "smaller pie".
Competition & Consumer Protection
Suit accuses QBE, Allianz, Steadfast of anti-competitive conduct
A WA insurance broker has brought a $3 million case against insurance broking network Steadfast Group as well as insurers QBE and Allianz, alleging they engaged in anti-competitive conduct in the market for insurance broking services in Australia.
Class Actions
Class action alleging racism by Queensland hospitals must plead a comparator
A class action against Queensland and two hospitals on behalf of First Nations people alleging institutional racism must plead a comparator group by which their treatment is to be measured, a court has said.
Privacy & Cybersecurity
OAIC clears real estate platform Fast Property AI of misusing personal info
The privacy watchdog has cleared a property company run by lawyer Dominique Grubisa of claims of misuse of personal information, but has referred concerns about promotional statements to the ACCC.
Employment
Ousted Australian Film Institute CEO drops bid for reinstatement
The former CEO of the Australian Film Institute, who alleges he was ousted through a sham redundancy, has dropped his bid for reinstatement.
ASIC
ASIC loses appeal of failed strike-out in Clive Palmer case
ASIC has lost its appeal of a failed bid to strike out of parts of mining magnate Clive Palmer’s claim that he was subject to an unlawful examination by the regulator, with a judge finding the pleading properly identified the ASIC officers involved.
