Gadens to run consolidated Quintis class action, court hears
TOP STORY
Class Actions December 10, 2018 1:13 pm By Miklos Bolza

A shareholder class action led by Bannister Law against sandalwood oil producer Quintis will be absorbed by rival law firm Gadens in a consolidation agreement that ends a battle over the competing cases.

After settlement rejected, ASIC takes Westpac case to trial
Financial Services December 10, 2018 1:59 pm By Miklos Bolza

The corporate cop’s case against Westpac over allegedly irresponsible lending practices will go to trial after the Federal Court rejected the bank’s $35 million settlement.

Google, Facebook have ‘ability and incentive’ to abuse market power, ACCC says
Competition & Consumer Protection December 10, 2018 3:11 pm By Cat Fredenburgh

Google and Facebook should be regulated given the potential they have to wield their monopoly powers in ways that would harm consumers, the ACCC said in its highly anticipated preliminary report into the digital platforms.

Other stories
ACCC launches competition case against NSW Ports over 50-year deal with state
Competition & Consumer Protection December 10, 2018 10:34 am By Christine Caulfield

The competition watchdog is taking NSW Ports to court alleging a 50-year agreement with the state, signed when Port Botany and Port Kembla were privatised five years ago, was anti-competitive.

Maurice Blackburn may get $5.8M in $16.4M Cash Converters settlement
Class Actions December 10, 2018 9:10 pm By Cat Fredenburgh

Maurice Blackburn stands to walk away with $5.8 million for its work on a consumer class action against Cash Converters that resulted in a $16.4 million settlement.

Commonwealth slams Otsuka’s ‘inconsistent’ defences in Abilify patent case
Intellectual Property December 10, 2018 10:02 pm By Miklos Bolza

The Commonwealth has urged the court to strike out the “inconsistent” pleadings of pharmaceutical firms Otsuka and Bristol-Myers Squibb in a patent case over the antipsychotic drug Abilify, calling them a “scandal” which could bring disrepute to the administration of justice.

D’Aquino Bros says it can prove its Scotch Whisky is the real deal
Intellectual Property December 10, 2018 9:01 pm By Christine Caulfield

Defending against a fourth trade mark infringement lawsuit by the UK’s Scotch Whisky Association, Australian liquor retailer D’Aquino Bros has told a court all of its Scotch Whisky was distilled in Scotland, and it has the paperwork to prove it.

IOOF’s Chairman, CEO step down in wake of APRA action
Financial Services December 10, 2018 2:06 pm By Christine Caulfield

IOOF’s chairman and CEO are stepping down to defend against a Federal Court action by Australia’s financial regulator seeking to have them, along with three other executives of the embattled wealth manager, disqualified from acting as superannuation trustees.

Judge tosses Penthouse publisher’s case over Milo Yiannopoulos, Nigel Farage tour fees
Media December 10, 2018 6:42 pm By Cat Fredenburgh

Penthouse publisher Damien Costas has lost a dispute related to fees he allegedly owes a publicist for the book tours of far-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos and Brexit architect Nigel Farage, after a judge found Costas’ solicitors had failed to effect proper service.

Lawyerly holiday publishing schedule
Article December 10, 2018 10:40 pm By Lawyerly staff

In observance of the Christmas holiday, Lawyerly will be closed from 24 December through 4 January. We will resume regular daily publishing and newsletter distribution on Monday, 7 January. If you have any trouble accessing your Lawyerly account or wish to purchase a subscription during this time, please email subscriptions@lawyerly.com.au.

Slater & Gordon looks to bow out of AMP class action beauty parade
Class Actions December 7, 2018 9:55 pm By Miklos Bolza and Christine Caulfield

And then there were four. Plaintiffs law firm Slater & Gordon wants to consolidate its AMP shareholder class action with Maurice Blackburn’s case and hand […]

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Insurance broker JLT hit with class action over excessive premiums
Class Actions December 7, 2018 1:01 pm By Cat Fredenburgh

Quinn Emanuel has hit global insurance broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson with a class action for allegedly charging local councils in NSW hundreds of millions of dollars […]

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Law firm profits soar as competition for talent heats up
Business of Law December 7, 2018 2:44 pm By Cat Fredenburgh

Australian law firm profits jumped 8.2 per cent in the past financial year amid heightened demand for legal services, according to a recent report, which […]

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