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Judge worries about declassing COVID-19 business interruption cases
A judge has raised concerns about bids to declass group proceedings over alleged business interruption losses during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the thousands of policyholders who registered for the class actions might reap more from the cases than making claims directly with their insurers.
Clyde & Co asks six partners to leave, will introduce salaried role
Global insurance law firm Clyde & Co has shown six of its partners in Australia the door and will create a new salaried partner position to cope with high competition in insurance law, with the partnership having decreased by a third in the last 18 months.
Kennedys raids Clyde & Co’s insurance team
Kennedys has lured a team of 16 from Clyde & Co, including three partners, to bolster its insurance practice group, the latest raid on its rival firm.
Class action members have broader limitations protection than lead plaintiffs: appeals court
Group members enjoy broader protection against the running of limitation periods than lead plaintiffs in class actions, an appeals court has said in finding that commercial fishing operators heading a class action against Gladstone Ports could not bring new claims out of time. 
Insurer not on hook for scrapped NSW music festival during Black Summer bushfires
Insurer Lloyd’s in not on the hook for losses arising from a cancelled 2019 music festival, with a judge finding the Black Summer bushfires did not render cancellation necessary as was required for coverage under the relevant insurance policy.
Gladstone Ports class action funder, plaintiffs clash over who should run the case
The litigation funder and lead plaintiffs in a class action against Queensland-owned Gladstone Ports are in dispute over who should be engaged to act in the long-running case after the solicitor on record left Clyde & Co for a rival law firm.
Company can’t duck service of $2.5M lawsuit via solicitors, judge says
A Norwegian company can’t dodge service of a $2.5 million lawsuit via its Australian solicitors, failing in its argument that exceptional circumstances are needed to avoid the more lengthy and costly process of serving it in its home country.
Herbert Smith Freehills chases United Petroleum for costs over failed IPO dispute
Herbert Smith Freehills has filed proceedings against its former client United Petroleum, seeking costs of successfully defending a lawsuit alleging it acted negligently in relation to the company’s failed initial public offering in 2016. 
Judge says settlement offers should operate as bulwark against costs in class actions
A judge has held that there could be favourable costs consequences for Carnival if its rejected $15 million settlement offer in the Ruby Princess class action turns out to be more generous than the ultimate damages award, departing from a previous ruling that so-called Calderbank offers do not operate in group proceedings. 
Ruby Princess class action rejected $15M settlement offer, court told
Cruise ship operator Carnival PLC has flagged a bid for indemnity costs after the lead applicant in a class action over a COVID-19 outbreak aboard the Ruby Princess rejected a $15 million settlement offer.