Judges

A judge has given the Victorian unit of Roberts Co more time to put forward a deed of company arrangement that would save the builder from liquidation, noting liquidation could imperil its projects and subcontractors, who could not bring claims under the SOP Act if it was insolvent. 

A judge has ruled the liquidator of Special Gold can advance claims against Dyldam Developments, which the collapsed Sydney developer has called "hopeless".

A survey initiated by NSW Supreme Court Chief Justice Andrew Bell into the state's practical legal training has found the mandatory program, which can cost up to $12,000, lacks academic rigour and is "rife with cheating".

A franchisee class action against United Petroleum over alleged loss-making Pie Face stores has been ordered to hand over $3.7 million in security, with a judge finding it was not likely to stultify the class action.

Brokerage firm International Capital Markets says a class action over risky financial products must put up or shut up when it comes to claims in the case that neither applicant has standing to bring.

Clorox has been hit with a $8.25 million penalty for representing to consumers that certain GLAD garbage bags were sourced from plastic fished from the ocean.

A court's finding that EnergyAustralia is on the hook for portable long service leave for maintenance workers at its Yallourn power station because its "significant' maintenance activities mean it's 'in the construction industry' could affect energy, rail and telecommunications firms.

Applicants in class actions against Hyundai and Kia have complained they are being left in the dark about whether a competing set of cases will amend their pleadings ahead of next month's law firm carriage fight.

Builtcom has lost a challenge to an adjudicator's $8.5 million determination of a final payment claim under a contract with VSD Investments for construction of a 30-storey development in Sydney's inner west.