Top silk abandons defence, expresses ‘very deep regret’ over conduct in Banksia class action

TOP STORY
Class Actions August 3, 2020 6:02 pm By Miklos Bolza

Barrister Norman O’Bryan SC has abandoned his defence of misconduct allegations stemming from the Banksia Securities class action and expressed contrition to the court for his actions.

Lawyers say judge has power to close class action with tweak to group member definition
Class Actions July 31, 2020 10:35 pm By Alison Eveleigh

Lawyers running a class action against recycling company Sims Metal Management say the court has power to approve their bid to amend the group member definition that will effectively close the class, but the judge overseeing the case will appoint a contradictor to represent group members in a hearing over the application.

Commonwealth Bank, Westpac’s BT face potential class actions over insurance ‘rort’
Class Actions July 31, 2020 4:16 pm By Miklos Bolza

Shine Lawyers is investigating two new class actions against Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac’s BT Funds Management over allegedly excessive insurance premiums, a week after filing a similar case against AMP’s life insurance arm.

Other stories
Adero to issue correction notice in On The Run class action
Employment August 3, 2020 9:56 pm By Alison Eveleigh

The law firm running an underpayments class action against petrol convenience store chain On The Run has been ordered to issue a notice correcting certain statements made on its website about the company and the class action, including that the claims in the case are worth up to $70 million.

Shareholder class actions ‘raise the bar’ for corporate behaviour, inquiry hears
Class Actions August 3, 2020 9:30 pm By Alison Eveleigh

Shareholder class actions protect shareholder value and promote long-term system changes, an Australian superannuation fund has told the government’s latest class action inquiry.

Media companies can file evidence of second alleged murder in Roberts-Smith defamation case
Defamation August 3, 2020 2:27 pm By Alison Eveleigh

A judge has allowed the media companies fighting defamation proceedings by decorated war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith to include new evidence in their defence, including to support claims the soldier was involved in another murder.

Gilbert + Tobin faces appeal by Sydney businessman Charif Kazal
Appeals August 3, 2020 1:09 pm By Cat Fredenburgh

Sydney businessmen Charif and Tarek Kazal have appealed a ruling that found their claims against Gilbert + Tobin over an alleged dishonest scheme to rob them of a 50 per cent stake in a lucrative Sydney waste facility were “fundamentally incoherent”.

ASIC scores ‘narrow’ win in case against ex-Tennis Australia director
ASIC July 31, 2020 12:43 pm By Miklos Bolza

A judge has handed ASIC a “narrow” win in its action against former Tennis Australia director Harold Mitchell, tossing most of the regulator’s case and accusing it of “confirmatory bias”.

Maurice Blackburn escapes discrimination case by former client
Employment July 31, 2020 10:01 pm By Alison Eveleigh

A judge has shut down a former Qantas customer service manager’s bid to pursue a disability discrimination case against Maurice Blackburn alleging the law firm put pressure on her to settle her workers compensation case against the airline.

Google, Facebook face fines of at least $10M for breaches of ACCC media bargaining code
Media July 31, 2020 12:55 pm By Miklos Bolza

Google and Facebook will face penalties of at least $10 million for breaches of a media bargaining code drafted by the ACCC that aims to create a “level playing field” between Australian media companies and the tech giants.

Waived on through: Federal Court highlights the fine distinctions that govern waiver of privilege
Expert Insights July 31, 2020 10:59 pm By Jacob Uljans of Hall & Wilcox

A recent decision in ASIC’s case against ANZ has highlighted the potential risks of waiver of client legal privilege, with the Federal Court observing that […]

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Judge questions whether Banksia class action lawyers should be struck off roll
Class Actions July 30, 2020 9:11 pm By Alison Eveleigh

The judge overseeing a trial over legal fees and funding commission in the Banksia Securities class action has questioned whether the lawyers behind the case […]

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‘Go spend time with your kids’: Piper Alderman hit with sex discrimination lawsuit
Employment July 30, 2020 3:54 pm By Miklos Bolza

A former administrative assistant at Piper Alderman who was not allowed to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic says she was terminated for taking […]

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