The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has brought its first-ever case alleging breach of whistleblower protections against coal producer TerraCom, claiming it made misleading statements to the market that damaged a whistleblower’s reputation.
Casino operator Star Entertainment has settled a lawsuit against Momento Hospitality and CEO Marcello Colosimo over the name of their latest western Sydney pub, registered as The Star Hotel.
The divisive issue of whether judges are empowered to make a common fund order to distribute the costs of a funding commission at the settlement stage of a class action is headed back to the Full Federal Court next week.
A law firm has questioned an “innovative” funding model proposed by its rival in a contest to run a class action against Jaguar Land Rover over allegedly defective diesel filters in its vehicles.
A judge has indicated his willingness to approve a $25 million settlement in a class action against dairy co-op Fonterra, but deferred the question of the funder’s cut until after the Full Court rules on whether the court has the power to make a common fund order at settlement.
Advanta Seeds has won an appeal upholding the dismissal of a class action by sorghum farmers over allegedly contaminated seeds, with a court finding that the seed producer’s duty of care was negated by clear disclaimers.
A class action against Bayer over its Essure device has won court approval to add new allegations, including that the contraceptive caused sexual dysfunction, with a judge finding the new claims could not have taken the German drug maker by surprise.
A class action by property owners against the manufacturer and supplier of alleged combustible cladding has lost a bid for sales figures to estimate the value of their claims as the parties head into settlement negotiations next month.
Nine has defeated a bid to strike out its truth defences in a defamation case by a Melbourne hairdresser alleging a segment on ‘A Current Affair’ about ‘internet trolls’ and subsequent comments on the program’s Facebook page defamed her.
Seafood processing company De Costi Seafoods has been hit with a $60,000 penalty for failing to pay workers overtime for shifts starting before 6am, with a judge finding the company failed to show any contrition.