Industries

Rejecting Victoria's bid for a quick win in a case by Pakenham Place Shopping Centre over the development of a new hospital in Melbourne's southeast, a judge has warned against "last-resort" summary dismissal applications.

Two bidders are vying to acquire troubled steelmaking facility Whyalla Steelworks in South Australia, beating out more than 70 competitors.

Johnson Winter Slattery has promoted five lawyers to its partnership, including three with expertise advising on major projects, saying continued strong growth had opened the advancement path.

After pocketing a partial settlement in the case, the funder behind a class action over the collapse of mining company CuDeco has copped criticism by a judge for defaulting on orders for security for defence costs.

AstraZeneca has slammed Pharmacor's defence to claims it infringed a patent for blockbuster diabetes drug Forxiga as a "complete shot in the dark", as the drug maker unsuccessfully fought orders to produce documents from a UK case.

A judge has put off scheduling a trial in a class action against the AFL over its alleged failures to protect First Nations players from racist treatment, with a 2028 date now looking likely.

The ACCC has opened a review into Swiss insurer Zurich's bid to acquire UK-based specialty insurer Beazley, one of the largest deals to face scrutiny under the country's new merger review framework.

Hamilton Locke has brought on four new partners to boost its expertise in areas in high-demand among its clients. 

The Commonwealth Bank has urged the High Court to uphold a ruling rejecting shareholders' damages claims in two class actions, saying the decision correctly rejected their "conflation of materiality with loss".

A judge has rejected a bid by a shareholder class action against water treatment firm Phoslock and auditor KPMG to put off paying $1.6 million in overdue cash security while negotiations about an ATE policy are on foot.