Judgment

A Sydney barrister found guilty of contempt in a fight with his chambers over $112,000 in floor fees has been fined $25,000, with a judge calling his apologies “mealy-mouthed” and “late in the day”.

The Fair Work Commission has found that a solicitor who entered into a contract akin to an independent contractor agreement with Linkpoint Lawyers was an employee of the firm.

A $1 billion dispute between the owner and manager of the troubled Callide power station in Queensland will be reallocated, after a judge conceded that his knowledge of a key expert report could create an apprehension of bias. 

Three Keybridge directors breached their duties when they approved a $4.75 million bonus for CEO Nicholas Bolton and arranged for the financially distressed company to advance Bolton a loan to acquire a $20 million property in Lake Como, a judge has found. 

The High Court has upheld an appeals court ruling that Billabong founder Gordon Merchant is liable for a $31 million tax bill after selling his company, finding there was no other "meaningful or realistic" objective of the sale.

A judge has tossed developer ApyHome's appeal of the refusal of its plan for an 88-lot development in Lawrence, NSW, finding it would have an unacceptable impact on the local car ferry service.

A judge has rejected a bid for an elder to inspect land at Brunswick Heads in his claim that developer Clarence Property will breach laws against desecration of Aboriginal objects when it builds artificial frog ponds as part of its 123-lot residential development.

Developer Geocon has failed to overturn a ruling blocking it from using 132 parking spaces at its Metropol mixed-use development in Canberra as a commercial parking facility.

A judge has rejected plans for a motel development at the Gold Creek Country Club in Canberra, finding the physical features of the development were more consistent with long-term accommodation than a motel.