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Tips from top barristers on litigating in a virtual courtroom
The novel coronavirus pandemic has forced Australian courtrooms into the virtual world, with many barristers and solicitors litigating via phone or video for the first time. Here, some of Australia's top barristers offer tips on how to bring your A game into the virtual realm.
Quintis reaches settlement in shareholder class action
Sandalwood producer Quintis has agreed to settle two class actions by shareholders, but the claims against company founder Frank Wilson and auditor EY will proceed for now.
Fight erupts over need for amicus to weigh fairness of $212.5M toxic foam settlement scheme
The Commonwealth of Australia has called for the appointment of an amicus to scrutinise the $212.5 million settlement reached in several class action against it over allegedly toxic firefighting foam used on government military bases.
Judge OKs notice in Westpac class action foreshadowing ‘expense sharing order’
A judge has approved a notice in a class action against Westpac alerting group members that an "expense sharing order" will be sought by the applicants if or when the case settles, the first ruling of its kind since the High Court struck down common fund orders.
Court wrestles with how toxic foam settlement objectors will be heard
The judge overseeing the $212.5 million settlement in three toxic foam class actions against the Commonwealth of Australia has been told of at least one objection to the deal and has flagged difficulties taking submissions from opposing group members at an upcoming approval hearing.
Combustible cladding class action gets makeover
The lead applicant in a class action over allegedly combustible cladding has been ordered to immediately pay the defendants' costs that were thrown away by amended pleadings that bring a "substantially new case", over a year after the high-stakes case was filed.
Government reaches settlement in toxic foam class actions
A settlement has been reached in three class action against the Commonwealth of Australia over the use of allegedly toxic firefighting foam at government military bases.
Westpac slams Shine’s ‘sales pitch’ in class action opt out notice
Westpac has criticised Shine Lawyers for allegedly turning a registration and opt out notice to class action members into a 'sales pitch' designed to book-build for the firm, saying the High Court's recent common fund ruling forbade approval of anything designed to boost the commercial viability of a case.
Funder to continue backing Westpac insurance class action, for now
The funder behind a class action against Westpac over allegedly excessive insurance premiums has confirmed that it will continue backing the case despite earlier concerns it may pull out in the wake of the High Court's landmark ruling on common fund orders.
Vocus class action to seek first common fund order since High Court ruling
The funder behind the recently resolved shareholder class action against teleco Vocus will ask a judge to make a common fund order at a hearing to approve a $35 million settlement of the case, the first common fund order since the High Court appeared to put the kibosh on them.