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A judge said Friday that a bid by last-mile logistics software firm GetSwift to relocate to Canada as it faces a potential $20 million civil penalty from ASIC and a $50 million class action was "not a good look".
Last-mile logistics software firm GetSwift has offered a last minute undertaking that it will be covered for any judgments and penalties in a class action and ASIC case, after a judge expressed concerns about the company's bid to redomicile to Canada amid the ongoing litigation.
A judge's decision to throw out a shareholder class action against engineering company Worley is a loss for plaintiffs lawyers and could result in fewer listed companies willing to settle cases alleging they breached their disclosure obligations, but the ruling is not likely to have a significant chilling effect on securities litigation.
ASIC and the applicant in a class action against GetSwift have intervened in an application by the logistics provider to relocate its headquarters to Canada, aiming to ensure shareholders are aware of the potential outcomes of the regulator's enforcement action, which include banning orders against directors Bane Hunter and Joel Macdonald.
GetSwift is keeping up its fight to have the judge overseeing a shareholder class action disqualify himself from the proceedings after overseeing the trial in the corporate regulator's case against the logistics provider.
GetSwift has promised the Federal Court that it will inform the lead applicant in a shareholder class action if any of its assets are to be transferred outside of Australia, after the applicant raised concerns about the logistics company's proposed relocation to Canada.
The judge overseeing a class action against GetSwift has refused to disqualify himself from the proceedings, rejecting claims that he could not be seen to approach the case with an "impartial mind" and taking a passing shot at the logistics company's use of the Americanism "recuse" in its application.
A high ranking executive from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia has warned that an increase in class actions could discourage Australia's best corporate leaders from joining company boards.
A recent announcement by logistics tech provider GetSwift that it will be relocating to Canada has heightened concerns by the lawyers running a shareholder class action against the company that it might not be able to meet any orders for compensation to group members.
Mining giant BHP is seeking to have foreign group members shut out of a shareholder class action over the Fundao dam failure in Brazil five years ago.