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Saddled with resigning judge’s unfinished case, colleague spares no feelings
A judge has resigned before delivering judgment in litigation that went to trial in 2020, and the colleague assigned the unenviable task of issuing a ruling has taken a swipe at his departing peer, noting the absence of medical or other evidence to explain her "unwillingness" to see the case through.
Fairfax wants Seven, Herbert Smith Freehills emails in Ben Roberts-Smith case
Seven Network and law firms Herbert Smith Freehills and Addisons are fighting Fairfax’s bid for communications relating to Ben Roberts-Smith’s unsuccessful defamation case, as the publisher seeks its significant defence costs. 
Court throws out decision on nuclear waste facility location
A court has set aside former Federal Minister for Resources Keith Pitt's decision to develop a nuclear waste facility in Napandee in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, saying a fair-minded observer may have perceived that Pitt was biased in selecting the site over two other proposed locations. 
Administrator can’t claw back security for costs in case by failed company
A judge has rejected a bid by the administrator of a collapsed company to claw back a payment of security for costs made in earlier litigation, which he found did not give rise to a relevant security interest.
Federal Court rejects ToolGen’s genome editing patent
A judge has upheld findings from IP Australia that South Korean biotech ToolGen's genome editing technology CRISPR is not patentable, but given the company one more chance to seek to amend its application.
Insurer Vero dragged into class action over combustible cladding
A judge has ruled insurer Vero can be added to a class action over allegedly combustible cladding, finding removal of the cladding could be considered “property damage” under the wording of an insurance contract with cladding manufacturer Fairview.
NSW government on hook for damages in light rail class action
A judge has found the state of NSW liable to compensate the lead plaintiffs in a class action brought on behalf of small businesses over the “substantial and unreasonable” interference caused by the construction of Sydney's $3 billion light rail network, but he flagged “significant problems” in applying his findings to thousands of potential group members.
Doctors class action won’t take precedence over union-backed cases
A union representing 54 junior doctors alleging they were systemically underpaid has defeated a bid by NSW Health to stay its case until the determination of a related class action on behalf of tens of thousands of medical officers. 
Court not obliged to comply with policies NSW ‘dreams up’, class action judge says
A judge has warned the NSW government that the court does not make orders “subject to [its] internal policies” after the state failed to comply with orders to hand over documents in a class action over police strip searches.