Justice Jim Delany

JB Hi-Fi has lost its bid for soft class closure orders in a class action on behalf of eight million customers, with a judge finding it would likely lead to conflicts of interest and a "post-settlement wave" of late registrations.

The contingency fee rate sought by Shine Lawyers in its bid to vary a group costs order in a class action against EML Payments has been revealed as the percentage profit it initially proposed to a judge, who took an ax to it three years ago.

Defunct telecommunications company Jabiru Satellite can add new claims to its suit against major banks for withdrawing support for Australia’s first satellite, but it can't put on a case that the lenders were “shadow” directors.

The director of collapsed builder Shangri-La Construction wants to expand his defence in a suit over allegedly flammable cladding installed in a Melbourne building to argue a funding agreement with an owners corporation was not valid because nearly a quarter of owners abstained or voted against it.

A judge has hacked Maurice Blackburn’s promised cut of an $87 million settlement in a class action against Hino Motors, saying the 24.66 per cent group costs order previously approved by the court would result in a “disproportionate return” to the firm.

A judge has ordered Adina West Melbourne to pay $2.3 million to Trenerry's West End LandCo, including $1 million in unpaid rent, despite finding COVID-19 lockdowns were a force majeure event under the lease.

JB Hi-Fi has lost its bid for a hearing on a separate question in a class action over allegedly worthless warranties, with a judge saying the novel question has not been considered by the High Court and could lead to appeals. 

A judge has said a $360 million settlement in a US class action could be relevant to deciding whether to vary a 25 per cent contingency fee in an Australian class action against Hino Motors, which settled for $87 million.  

JB Hi-Fi wants an advance ruling in a class action on the period of cover provided to customers for breach of statutory guarantees under the consumer law, a question that has never been addressed by the courts.

A judge has approved an $87 million settlement in a class action against Hino Motors, but says he needs to hear from a contradictor before greenlighting a law firm's 25 per cent contingency fee.