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Liberty Group’s ‘trust silo’ not used to avoid tax on $98M, appeals court finds
In a loss for the Australian Taxation Office, an appeals court has found that the Liberty Group’s use of corporate and trust ‘silos’ was not an unlawful tax avoidance scheme.
SingTel loses appeal in ATO case over deductions on $14B Optus acquisition
Telecommunications giant SingTel has lost its challenge a ruling in favour of the ATO’s decision to reject over $894,000 in tax deductions related to its $14.2 billion acquisition of Optus.
7-Eleven class action funder’s $12M cut seemed ‘plainly too little’, says appeals judge
A judge hearing an appeal by a funder over its cut of a $98 million settlement in franchisee class actions against 7-Eleven has said the $12 million commission was “plainly too little”, and questioned if the class action judge had been "stuck" on the idea that common fund orders are bad. 
Net emissions from Mount Pleasant mega coal mine project not the point, appeals court told
Federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek wrongly focused on the net effect of approving an application by MACH Energy and Whitehaven Coal to extend two mega coal mines in New South Wales, an advocacy group has told an appeals court.
Insurers appeal ruling putting them on hook for Opal Tower class action costs
The Full Court will weigh in on whether Opal Tower engineer WSP was excluded from builder Icon's policy coverage for subcontractors and should cover it own class action costs.
High Court grants special leave in Toyota class action
The High Court has agreed to weigh in on how damages for reduction in value should be calculated under the Australian Consumer Law, granted competing special leave applications in a class action against Toyota over defective diesel filters.
Ford scores partial win in class action appeal over defective PowerShift transmissions
US car giant Ford has partially succeeded in its challenge to a judgment that found it owed more than $6,800 to the lead applicant in a class action over defective PowerShift transmissions, but the High Court may ultimately decide how damages should be calculated under the Australian Consumer Law for reduction in value.
Mawhinney’s defamation case against ASIC put on hold
Trial in a defamation suit by Mayfair 101 founder James Mawhinney over a media release issued by ASIC has been pushed off until the outcome of the regulator's second go against the investment spruiker.
Court rejects Tony Sage’s bid to uncover legal advice in tax audit
A judge has rejected a bid by WA businessman and former Perth Glory owner Antony Sage to uncover external legal advice provided to the tax office in a dispute over an audit that went to the AAT, finding that reliance by the Tribunal on the material could endanger its independence.
Judges have power to make settlement CFOs, says Full Court
The Full Federal Court has answered a question vexing the court for the past four years, ruling that class action judges have the power to make common fund orders at settlement that allow litigation funders to reap a percentage commission beyond their contractual entitlement.