Employment
Judge ‘very, very concerned’ over Facebook posts in Qantas case
Union members who allegedly urged former Qantas workers to give misleading information to the Federal Court via a survey in a lawsuit brought on behalf of 2,000 stood-down ground staff may be called to explain themselves after a judge expressed concern over their conduct.
Insurance
Sunwater loses dispute with Liberty over coverage for Queensland floods class action
Liberty Mutual Insurance does not have to indemnify dam operator Sunwater for its share of a $440 million settlement of the Queensland floods class action, the NSW Supreme Court has found.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Port of Newcastle can charge Glencore higher access fees, High Court rules
The Port of Newcastle has largely won its High Court fight with mining giant Glencore over access fees and will now be able to set a higher price for use of the port's facilities.
Tax
Worldwide freezing orders not conditional on enforcement prospects, High Court says
The High Court has granted the ATO’s bid to impose a worldwide freezing order against Chinese property developer Changran Huang, saying the court’s power to freeze assets did not depend on whether there was a realistic possibility of enforcing a judgment in a foreign jurisdiction.
Coronavirus
Appeals dismissed in ‘inconceivable’ challenge to NSW COVID-19 jab mandate
An appeals court has found it “inconceivable” that legislation aimed at protecting public health would not have afforded the New South Wales health minister the power to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for certain workers, given the outbreak of the Delta strain of the coronavirus.
Class Actions
‘Ticking time bomb’: Essure class action members all at risk, court told
Group members in a class action over Bayer's Essure contraceptives had “a ticking time bomb” in their bodies after being implanted with the devices, and all were at risk of developing injuries, a court has heard.
Financial Services
Avanteos faces multi-million dollar penalty in landmark criminal case over dead members
Former Commonwealth Bank subsidiary Avanteos Investments Limited pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charging up to $700,000 in fees to hundreds of deceased superannuation fund members.
Intellectual Property
IP Australia pours cold water on Vittoria’s ‘Victoria Coffee’ trade mark
Coffee giant Vittoria has lost its bid to register the trade mark “Victoria Coffee", with IP Australia finding the mark could prevent other businesses from honestly describing coffee products by referring to the state of Victoria.
Business of Law
Hall & Wilcox picks up three lawyers after ‘sad’ closure of 102-year-old Perth firm
Hall & Wilcox is strengthening its presence in Western Australia with the appointment of three lawyers nabbed from the now-closed commercial law firm Kott Gunning.
Employment
Class action accuses McDonald’s of denying workers unpaid rest breaks
Fast food giant McDonald’s has been hit with a class action alleging it systematically failed to provide employees with paid 10 minute rest breaks.
