ANZ has denied claims that it sold allegedly worthless insurance to group members in a class action against the banking giant, and has said the policies gave customers “peace of mind”.
A penalty hearing in the ACCC’s case against health booking company HealthEngine over misleading online reviews has been adjourned after a judge criticised the parties’ joint submissions as “deficient” for failing to explain how a proposed $2.9 million penalty had been arrived at.
A judge will ask the NSW Attorney General to launch a criminal or regulatory investigation into a Hunter Valley-based financial advisor whose alleged fraudulent conduct led to investor losses of over $4.6 million.
The settlement of two shareholder class actions against sandalwood producer Quintis has been delayed after the company’s eleventh-hour revelation that it may have an extra $40 million in insurance.
Dairy cooperative Murray Goulburn has launched proceedings against AIG Australia seeking to recover 20 per cent of a $42 million class action settlement it paid, plus the legal costs of defending two class actions.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has taken action on another banking royal commission case study, filing court proceedings against insurer Youi for allegedly taking two years to settle a home owner’s hail storm claim.
A Federal Court judge has praised an attempt by Shine Lawyer’s head of litigation to create an audio-visual opt out notice for its insurance class action against Westpac, but jokingly remarked that her performance would not win her any acting plaudits.
Noting the challenge of searching for documentary evidence while employees are working from home, a judge overseeing two consumer class actions against ANZ and Westpac has directed the banks to hand over only a limited number of documents to the applicants, and given them extra time to do it.
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.
The Chief Justice of the Federal Court says a system is needed to ensure parties don’t interrupt one another during virtual hearings, and noted the increase in online hearings brought on by the coronavirus may also free judges up to hear cases outside their registries.