Class Actions
NSW mulls contingency fees to bring class actions back to state
A group of funders is advocating for reforms to address the dearth of new class action filings in the NSW Supreme Court, with a group costs order regime similar to the one in place in Victoria said to be under consideration.
High Court
High Court rules unpaid present entitlements not loans for tax purposes
The High Court has found that an unpaid present entitlement to a corporate beneficiary is not a loan under tax law, tossing an appeal by the ATO.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Judge in Coles discounts case mulls one hearing on damages, penalty
After it was found to have engaged in misleading conduct over its 'Down Down' discount campaign, Coles may face a single hearing on the punishment to be meted out to it in the ACCC's case and a companion class action.
Appeals
Mark Latham loses appeal of Sydney MP’s defamation case over tweet
Former One Nation politician Mark Latham has failed in his appeal of a ruling that he defamed independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich in a homophobic tweet and owes $140,000 in damages.
Business of Law
Law Council urges government to pause AML/CTF rules for law firms
The Law Council has called for a one-year pause on an impending requirement that law firms comply with the anti-money laundering counter-terrorism finance regime, saying there is still no clarity about who the new rules apply to.
Appeals
Tax office appeals win for Shell over $99M in capital gains tax
The Australian Tax Office is challenging a decision for Shell over a $99 million capital gains assessment in the energy giant's sale of its Woodside stake.
Business of Law
Thomsons nabs partners from MinterEllison, Finlaysons
Thomsons has lured an employment partner from MinterEllison and a commercial property partner from Finlaysons to join its team in Adelaide.
Insurance
QBE admits misleading customers in ASIC case over policy discounts
Insurer QBE has admitted liability in ASIC’s case alleging it made empty promises to over half a million customers on policy discounts, but a dispute over the size of the penalty remains.
Class Actions
James Hardie hit with class action over FY26 guidance downgrade
Building materials giant James Hardie faces a shareholder class action after its share price dropped 34 per cent on the back of a FY26 earnings guidance downgrade.
