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.
Competition & Consumer Protection
JB Hi-Fi to refund customers $250,000 over was/now pricing
JB Hi-Fi will refund customers over $250,000 after the consumer watchdog raised concerns the electronics retailer's 'was/now' pricing campaign was misleading.
Privacy & Cybersecurity
Optus failed to protect data in White Pages breach, privacy watchdog says
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has found telco Optus failed to protect the data of customers whose personal information was listed in the White Pages after they sought an unlisted number.
Energy & Natural Resources
CITIC loses appeal against Mineralogy over $12B Sino Iron project
Clive Palmer’s Mineralogy has prevailed in an appeal as part of so-called mega litigation brought by CITIC over the $12 billion Sino Iron project in WA, with the court taking aim at both sides for the "intolerable" cost to the community of their endless dispute.
High Court
High Court rules unpaid present entitlements not loans, in loss for ATO
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.
Employment
Ex-Monarch advisors lose appeal of $270K judgment for non-compete breaches
Two former employees of financial services firm Monarch Advisory have lost their appeal of a $270,000 damages award after they were found to have breached a non-compete agreement.
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.
