Deloitte has warned that publishing evidence filed in support of its successful bid for an increase in settlement administration costs in a stolen wages class action could have a “chilling effect”.
A judge has approved an increase in the costs of distributing a $180 million settlement in a stolen wages class action but has said more “frankness” is needed in competitive tenders for the administration gig.
A court has found no legal error in a regulator’s decision to approve Woodside’s environmental plan for its Scarborough gas project in Western Australia, finding the company was not required to specify what would be an acceptable level of emissions.
Environmental group Doctors for the Environment has slammed Woodside claim that its $16.5 billion Scarborough gas project will have a “de minimus” environmental impact and argues the company’s plan does not allow the regulator to assess its real impact.
The ATO has won its challenge to a finding that it waived privilege over draft expert reports in an email referring to its contents, with a court saying disclosure of the substance of information is not per se inconsistent with maintaining privilege.
Recovery of legal costs has been capped in a case over Woodside’s $16.5 billion Scarborough gas venture that will give the Federal Court the first chance to weigh whether an environment plan complies with the law.
A judge has approved a $180 million settlement in a stolen wages class action but has criticised the plaintiff’s law firm for the costs incurred in the case and raised doubts about the value of litigation funding.
Class action settlements leaped in value last year, with three settlements topping the $200 million mark.
Funder LLS has urged the court to approve its 20 per cent cut of a $202 million settlement in a stolen wages class action, saying that reducing the “bottom end” rate could deter investments in public interest class actions.
The Commonwealth says funder LLS should not be allowed a 20 per cent cut of a stolen wages class action settlement of up to $202 million, arguing it could produce an “excessive deduction”.