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Magistrate’s refusal to allow note-taking in courtroom showed possible bias, judge finds
A local court magistrate showed apprehended bias by not allowing a self-represented plaintiff to take notes during cross-examination, a judge has found.
‘Distinctly bizarre’: Costs, commission send lead applicant packing in oil spill class action
The law firm running the Montara oil spill class action, which has settled for $192.5 million, is looking for a new lead applicant after the first one defected over concerns group members would lose half the settlement amount to legal costs and a funding commission.
Asset Energy wins review of Morrison’s denial of oil exploration licence
Asset Energy has won Federal Court review of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s decision not to grant a two-year extension of a controversial offshore exploration license, after the government conceded that Morrison’s decision was “infected by apprehended bias.”
Novel ‘solicitors’ CFO to be sought in Blue Sky class actions
The applicants in a consolidated investor class action against Blue Sky Alternative Investments and auditor EY will be applying for a so-called solicitors common fund order, and will move to transfer the case to the contingency-fee friendly Victoria Supreme Court if the groundbreaking application fails.
Full Court finds Illinois Tool Works fuel cell patent infringed
US tool giant Illinois Tool Works has defeated an appeal to a ruling that found Australian tool company Airco infringed it patent for a fuel cell designed for use in combustion tools.
Ex-Legacy Iron Ore managing director sentenced for $725,000 theft
The founding director of Perth-based exploration company Legacy Iron Ore Limited has been hit with a suspended sentence of three years imprisonment for stealing over $720,000 from the company.
Crown, Star look set to admit non-compliance in AUSTRAC actions
A court has heard that casino giants Crown and Star are likely to reach agreement with AUSTRAC as to liability in proceedings alleging “widespread and serious non-compliance” with anti-money and counter terrorism laundering laws.
Medibank class action to test whether data breach claims ‘worth the candle’
A landmark Federal Court class action against private health insurer Medibank will be a test case for when privacy claims can sidestep the regulatory path, and whether group members can prove they suffered loss from exposure of their data.
Uber looks to trim taxi driver class action
Uber wants to trim a class action by taxi and hire drivers in four states over the introduction of UberX, saying the case lacks coherence.
India can’t have trade mark for Basmati rice, IP Australia says
The Indian government has lost a bid to register a trade mark for the word ‘Basmati’, after an IP Australia delegate found rice growers outside of India had an “equally valid claim" to use the term.