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Oil spill class action firm wins settlement hearing fees, including bill for tax advice
Despite a judge's complaint that class action costs are generally "out of control", the law firm that secured a $192.5 million settlement and earned about $25 million in fees in the Montara oil spill case has won approval for more fees -- these ones incurred in a hearing to determine how the settlement spoils should be divided.
SkyCity may test AUSTRAC’s mettle at trial, judge says
SkyCity may be the first company to test the strength of AUSTRAC's claims in court, according to a judge who recently said in a separate case that the regulator's habit of agreeing to penalties could give rise to a "moral hazard".
Judge approves $450M penalty against Crown in AUSTRAC case
A judge has approved a $450 million penalty put forward by Crown Resorts and AUSTRAC despite reservations about evidence going to the casino operator’s financial position.
AUSTRAC’s history of agreed penalties could create a moral hazard, judge says
The judge asked to approve a proposed $450 million penalty in AUSTRAC’s case against Crown Resorts has questioned whether the practice of regulators settling enforcement action ahead of trial gave rise to a "moral hazard” problem.
Judge slams AUSTRAC’s ‘misleading’ $450M penalty deal with Crown
A proposed interest-free payment plan for a $450 million penalty agreed to between Crown Resorts and AUSTRAC has been questioned by a judge, who said it would have “the Commonwealth of Australia act as the Crown’s banker” for two years.
‘Aldi bag of cash’ suit against Holding Redlich resolved, court hears
The NSW Labor Party has agreed to drop its case against law firm Holding Redlich for providing allegedly negligent advice over a $100,000 illegal cash donation delivered in an Aldi shopping bag.
Pre-case discovery not for determining recovery prospects, judge says in $350M Probuild spat
A judge has found that preliminary discovery does not extend to information about the likely recovery of a claim, rejecting an argument that the relevant rule allows prospective plaintiffs to test whether litigation will be “worthwhile".
NACC to kick off with ‘huge backlog’ of referrals
The new federal corruption watchdog that commenced operating Friday will likely turn its sights first on the award of public grants, and is expected to face a "huge backlog" of referrals. 
Judge wants more evidence for law firm’s 30% cut in IAG class action
A judge overseeing a shareholder class action against Insurance Australia Group says more evidence is needed to back the applicant’s bid for an order giving lawyers 30 per cent of any recoveries.
Clive Palmer’s Mineralogy suffers loss in $4B spat with CITIC
Mining magnate Clive Palmer and his company Mineralogy have lost a bid to amend one of two cases that claim losses totalling $4 billion against CITIC after a judge found the amended claims would be “unfairly general”.