Justice Sean Cooper

A Queensland property owner whose Morton Bay land was slated to be acquired by the council can recover more than just legal costs under the state’s land acquisiton law, an appeals court has found.

A court has found that United Petroleum is not bound by the terms of a signed lease offer sent to a neighbouring Gold Coast pharmacy operator, ruling the company’s property consultant had no authority to negotiate or enter into a new lease on its behalf. 

Baker McKenzie has been dragged into a court case brought by a shareholder and creditor of failed energy company Armour Group, which alleges the law firm was knowingly involved in a plan by China-based Shunkang Group to take control of the company for cheap.