Christine Caulfield

Westpac has agreed to fork over $130 million to settle a class action over payment of flexible commissions to car dealers, a practice that was banned by the corporate regulator seven years ago.

Two law firms have reached an agreement to join their class actions against Harvery Norman alleging the furniture retailer sold worthless warranties.

New reports of criminal activity and violence have rocked the CFMEU, with calls from building groups for a "clean up", and a Coalition vow to deregister the embattled construction union and revive the industry watchdog.

Release of a review by the NSW government of the state's container terminal policy is "imminent", new transport minister John Graham told a parliamentary committee hearing last week.

The Victorian unit of privately-owned builder Roberts Co has entered voluntary administration, citing rising prices and the insolvency of critical subcontractors.

Holding Redlich has agreed to cover the costs awarded against its clients in a property spat, after a judge took the law firm to task for generating almost $30,000 in work following a settlement.

The Albanese government's response to a review of security of payment laws was a positive first step, building and construction industry groups said on Friday.

Russian company UC Rusal has lost a High Court leave bid after an "extremely harsh" finding that Rio Tinto was entitled to refuse alumina deliveries because of export sanctions.

A group costs order giving class action solicitors a percentage cut of the proceeds of a case is a factor in weighing whether proceedings should be transferred from Victoria to a state in which such an order could not operate, the High Court has ruled.

Liquidators of collapsed engineering company Hastie Group have brought proceedings against Hall & Wilcox, the law firm for the company's previous liquidators.