Class Actions
Judge OKs Colonial’s $140M settlement but chops funder’s cut
A judge has declined a funder’s bid for a $43 million payout in a class action accusing Colonial First State of charging excessive premiums, saying it was entitled to a 27.5 per cent commission but not $4.5 million for after-the-event insurance.
Defamation
WA appeals court upholds toss of defamation suit over lack of concerns notice
The WA Court of Appeal has upheld the dismissal of a defamation case after the plaintiff failed to issue a concerns noting before bringing proceedings, resolving a novel question about the application of NSW law in the state.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Qteq chair hit with record $1M penalty for attempted cartel conduct
A judge has fined Queensland mining equipment company Qteq $5 million and chair Simon Ashton a record $1 million for attempting to engage in cartel conduct.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Petrol companies could face $100M penalty for pricing misconduct
The federal government has proposed doubling penalties against petrol companies for pricing misconduct to $100 million, as conflict in the Middle East causes prices to skyrocket.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Trike maker locked in recall fight with Target wants to withdraw admission
Israel-based Smart Trike is seeking to withdraw its admission that it supplied noncompliant convertible strollers to the Australian market in a fight with distributor Target over a recall of the products.
Employment
Woolworths seeks more details in exec’s overwork, discrimination case
Woolworths says it wants more information about an executive's lawsuit alleging she faced excessive workloads and discrimination after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.
AI
FWC issues draft AI guidance amid ‘unprecedented’ workload increase
The Fair Work Commission has proposed requiring litigants to disclose their use of generative artificial intelligence tools and to check that all details in documents are correct, or risk their case being dismissed.
Class Actions
GM faces class action over Chevy Silverado recall
A new class action has been launched on behalf of over 10,000 Chevrolet Silverado owners, following a global recall of the utes by General Motors.
Settlement
Court OKs $37M settlement in EML shareholder class action
A judge has approved a $37.35 million settlement in a class action alleging fintech EML Payments failed to promptly disclose anti-money laundering and counter terrorism compliance concerns.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Bupa says aged care claims ‘not appropriate’ for class action
Bupa has hit back at a class action alleging it provided poor quality care to residents at its aged care facilities, saying it was "not appropriate" to run the case as a group proceeding.
