Deloitte partners can’t dodge production order after ‘outrageous’ removal of audit files, Full Court says

TOP STORY
Class Actions February 27, 2020 10:00 am By Christine Caulfield

Deloitte has lost its appeal of a ruling in a shareholder class action over the collapse of Hastie Group that compelled the production of audit files taken by a partner from the accounting giant’s litigation room, in a ruling that described the actions of the partner as “bordering on contempt” and slammed Deloitte for “cynically” exploiting the situation.

Government reaches settlement in toxic foam class actions
Class Actions February 27, 2020 10:55 am By Cat Fredenburgh

A settlement has been reached in three class action against the Commonwealth of Australia over the use of allegedly toxic firefighting foam at government military bases.

Combustible cladding class action gets makeover
Class Actions February 27, 2020 5:37 pm By Miklos Bolza

The lead applicant in a class action over allegedly combustible cladding has been ordered to immediately pay the defendants’ costs that were thrown away by amended pleadings that bring a “substantially new case”, over a year after the high-stakes case was filed.

Other stories
Sunwater to join challenge to Queensland floods class action victory
Appeals February 28, 2020 6:13 pm By Cat Fredenburgh

Dam operator Sunwater will join an appeal of a victory in a class action filed on behalf of victims of the 2011 Queensland floods, despite pleas from the firm running the case and the State of Queensland that insurers for the dam operators let the ruling stand.

BP worker fired over Hitler parody video to be reinstated after win on appeal
Employment February 28, 2020 4:50 pm By Miklos Bolza

A refinery worker sacked by BP over a parody Hitler video has won his job back after a Fair Work Commission appeals panel overturned a prior decision upholding his dismissal, finding that the clip he shared was not offensive or inappropriate.

Asahi offers to divest brands to avoid bitter dispute with ACCC over $16B CUB takeover
Competition & Consumer Protection February 28, 2020 3:27 pm By Alison Eveleigh

Japanese beer giant Asahi has offered to divest key beer and cider brands in a bid to convince the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission to approve its planned $16 billion acquisition of Carlton & United Breweries.

Penfolds maker shuts down another Chinese knockoff
Intellectual Property February 28, 2020 2:34 pm By Miklos Bolza

The Australian Trade Marks Office has granted another victory to Treasury Wine Estates in its ongoing battle against Chinese firm seeking to misappropriate the Penfolds name and sell knockoff wines under similar branding in China.

Non-equity partners poised to jump ship, survey shows
Business of Law February 28, 2020 1:30 pm By Alison Eveleigh

Non-equity partners at leading law firms are looking to jump ship in search of higher pay and greater decision-making powers, a new survey has found.

ANZ and Westpac hit with junk insurance class actions
ANZ February 28, 2020 1:08 pm By Miklos Bolza

Slater and Gordon has expanded its Get Your Insurance Back campaign, launching class actions against ANZ and Westpac over allegedly worthless consumer credit insurance, just three months after it reached a $49.5 million settlement with NAB in a class action over similar insurance.

‘I never liked common fund orders anyway’: Judge gives thumbs up to High Court ruling
Class Actions February 28, 2020 12:53 pm By Miklos Bolza

A  judge overseeing a shareholder class action against collapsed engineering group RCR Tomlinson has said goodbye to the common fund order in the case while welcoming last year’s High Court decision preventing these orders from being made at the early stage in class actions.

ASIC wins unconscionable conduct case against OTC derivatives issuer AGM Markets
Financial Services February 27, 2020 10:28 pm By Miklos Bolza

ASIC has notched up a win against derivative issuer AGM Markets and two of its authorised representatives, with a court finding they engaged in misleading, […]

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New pelvic mesh class action targets Medtronic unit, two other device makers
Product Liability February 27, 2020 4:06 pm By Alison Eveleigh

Medtronic owned Covidien and two other medical device manufacturers have been hit with a class action on behalf of thousands of women who claim to […]

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ACCC review of Google’s Fitbit acquisition to look at data
Competition & Consumer Protection February 27, 2020 11:22 pm By Cat Fredenburgh

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has opened a formal review into whether Google’s $3 billion acquisition of fitness device company Fitbit will harm competition, […]

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