Gadens

A judge has threatened to vacate the trial in Dexus’ case against Melbourne Airport operator APAC after all the defendants tried to file documents late, suggesting the lawyers may be hit with personal costs orders.

Questioning of the first witness in Dexus' case against Melbourne Airport's operator was an hour in when trial was halted by the judge, who complained of flying by the seat of his pants, documentary evidence-wise.

The High Court has dismissed Sunshine Loans' second attempt to have a judge recuse himself from a penalty hearing in ASIC’s case against the payday lender, despite his criticism of a witness due to give further evidence.

A court has ordered Macquarie Securities to pay an agreed $35 million penalty after finding that “serious deficiencies" in its reporting systems resulted in repeated failures to accurately report short sales.

Delivering his findings on ASIC’s action against Star Entertainment executives on Thursday, Federal Court Justice Michael Lee remarked that the “self-congratulatory submissions" of former board members named in the case were "jarring”.

In finding Star Entertainment's former group general counsel liable for breaches of duty, the judge overseeing ASIC's case has questioned the chief lawyer's insistence that she "rarely gave legal advice" and that her roles with the company should be delineated.

ASIC has had mixed success in a case against former Star directors and officers, with a judge finding the casino operator’s former CEO and GC breached their duties but that claims against the former board fell short.

A judge has approved a $13.5 million settlement in a class action against the director of collapsed sandalwood producer Quintis, but has reduced deductions sought by the plaintiff's lawyers and funder, and denied a payout to the funder of a competing case.

A Sydney council will argue its compulsory acquisition of two properties in Rouse Hill was part of a broader urban development public purpose, rather than the narrower purpose provided in its acquisition notice.

A judge ordered Westpac's CEO to front court over the "unconscionable" actions of mortgage subsidiary St George Bank in refusing to reverse an adverse credit record from a customer short $44.11 on her mortgage payments.