Stephen Free

Having lost a challenge to privatisation agreements by NSW Ports, the competition regulator wants to intervene in a High Court appeal by Mayfield Developments, which failed in its own case against the port authority.

Blooms the Chemist can't overturn a decision from the Pharmacy Council of NSW blocking the registration of a chemist, with a judge finding there was no evidence Blooms would not have a financial interest in the business.

The competition regulator is seeking to intervene in Mayfield Development's appeal to the High Court in a case the developer says could have "startling" consequences.

Mayfield Developments has argued the High Court should overturn a finding that NSW Ports was protected by derivative Crown immunity in entering allegedly uncompetitive agreements to privatise two ports, saying the decision could have “startling” consequences such as allowing the state to devise cartel arrangements.

A former Downer EDI project manager has lost a bid for court orders forcing NSW's Independent Commission Against Corruption to remove a report into a probe relating to Transport for NSW and Inner West Council tenders.

In a major win for two class actions and Fortnite maker Epic Games, a judge has found that Apple and Google misused their market power in running app stores and in-app purchase systems.

Mayfield Development has been granted the High Court's leave to make its argument that derivative Crown immunity does not apply to NSW Ports, in a seven-year-old competition case. 

He once made Clive Palmer cry but new judge Stephen Free is not without a sense of humour, as his speech to legal practitioners on his welcome to the bench showed Monday. He is also, as one speaker observed, "really, really nice".

Mayfield Development's competition case against NSW Ports over agreements to privatise two ports has made it to the High Court, with the developer pressing its argument that derivative Crown immunity did not apply to the port authority.

The Full Court has granted a cross-appeal by crypto currency provider Block Earner, finding its did not need a financial services licence because its crypto product is not a financial product.