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Fonterra warned farmers of ‘extreme’ global dairy price volatility, class action defence says
Fonterra has hit back at claims in a class action that the dairy giant misled farmers and breached its supply agreements when it slashed milk prices and sought a clawback in 2016, saying it warned farmers of the "extreme" volatility in the market.
Maurice Blackburn did not breach obligations in TWE class action, Full Court finds
The Full Federal Court has tossed an appeal by Treasury Wine Estates claiming that Maurice Blackburn and barrister Guy Donnellan breached their obligations in preparing the pleadings in a current shareholder class action against the global winemaker.
Law firm’s ‘overly combative manner’ prompts independent counsel appointment in bushfire class actions
A judge will appoint an independent barrister to determine the allocation of settlement proceeds between insured group members and their insurers from two St Patrick's Day bushfire class actions, finding that the 'overly combative' conduct of law firm Maddens warranted the appointment despite the extra costs involved.
‘An order that has never been made before’: Judge preps for contingency fee hearing
A Victoria Supreme Court judge hearing two competing class actions against Allianz Australia over "junk" insurance has asked the parties for feedback on what she should consider at a hearing on a request for a group costs order, which would allow the plaintiff lawyers to earn a cut of any settlement or judgment, the first such request made since Victoria legalised contingency fees.
Class action filings leap in Victoria as lawyers eye contingency fees
Class action filings in the Victoria Supreme Court have more than doubled in 2020, a trend that's likely to hold as law firms take advantage of a new law allowing them to earn contingency fees for running successful class actions.
Judge consolidates class actions against Treasury Wine, appoints referee to police costs
A judge has agreed to consolidate two shareholder class actions against Treasury Wine Estates over an earnings downgrade in January and will let two law firms jointly run the case, over the winemaker's objections.
One law firm should run class action against Treasury Wine, court told
Two competing shareholder class actions against global winemaker and distributor Treasury Wine Estates over an earnings downgrade in January this year should be consolidated, and a judge should pick just one law firm to run the case, a court has heard.
Fonterra may bring counter-claims in class action over milk prices
Fonterra could bring counter-claims against dairy farmers that brought a class action alleging they were unpaid when the company slashed milk prices in 2016, a court has heard, after debt recovery proceedings by Fonterra against the lead applicants were joined with the class action.
Maddens slammed for fee disclosures in bushfire class action
Maddens has once again been criticised for its non-compliant costs agreements, three months after receiving similar feedback from a Victoria Supreme Court judge overseeing the firm's bushfire class actions.
‘An air of unreality’: Judge questions Treasury Wine’s breach claims against Maurice Blackburn
A claim by Treasury Wine Estates that Maurice Blackburn -- but no other law firm -- is prohibited from bringing a shareholder class action over disclosure breaches related to its US business had an "air of unreality" about it, a judge has said.