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Common fund orders in class actions dealt fatal blow by High Court
Judges have no power to order all class action members to pay a proportion of a litigation funder’s commission out of their share of a settlement, the High Court has ruled in a landmark judgment that deals a huge defeat to litigation funders.
All eyes on High Court as ruling on common fund orders looms
The High Court is poised this week to issue its judgment in a case challenging the validity of common fund orders in class actions, a ruling that could see litigation funding commission rates creep back up after hitting record lows.
Judge in toxic foam class action says court not a ‘supplicant’ of the Commonwealth
The Federal Court judge overseeing three class actions against the Commonwealth of Australia over allegedly toxic firefighting foam has criticised the government's handling of the case, saying the court did not have to ask permission for how to run the proceedings.
Johnson & Johnson loses pelvic mesh class action in landmark ruling
Johnson & Johnson did not adequately warn of the risks of its pelvic mesh implants and is liable to pay damages to thousands of Australian women who suffered severe injuries from the devices, a judge has ruled in a long awaited decision in a class action launched more than seven years ago.
Shine Lawyers avoids being dragged into negligence lawsuit
A bid to join Shine Lawyers and barrister David Turner to a negligence suit against an Australian law firm retained to assist with a $630,000 contractual dispute has been dismissed after a judge found it was "not just, desirable or convenient" to drag the two parties into the dispute.
‘Underbelly’ actor denies sexual harassment claims by TV show extra
Acclaimed 'Underbelly' actor Damien Walshe-Howling is defending allegations that he sexually harassed an extra on the set of Channel Ten's 'Bikie Wars' when he grabbed the actress and forced his tongue into her mouth.
Future personal injury claims may be barred in PFAS class actions, court warns
A Federal Court judge has expressed concerns about whether group members in three class actions against the Commonwealth over allegedly toxic firefighting foam will be blocked from pursuing personal injury claims related to the chemical.
Expanded class definition tossed in Ethicon pelvic mesh class action
A Federal Court judge has reversed a prior ruling expanding the class in a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson unit Ethicon over allegedly defective pelvic mesh implants, saying he had "no confidence" new group members would have sufficient opportunity to opt out before judgment is delivered in a few weeks.
Court may scrap expanded class definition in Ethicon pelvic mesh case as judgment looms
An impending judgment in the long-running class action against Johnson & Johnson unit Ethicon over allegedly defective pelvic mesh implants has sent the parties scrambling about opt out notices and the Federal Court considering reversing prior orders that expanded the group definition.
Federal Court judge to go on cross-country tour for toxic foam class actions
Federal Court Justice Michael Lee is set to go out in the field on a nationwide tour to personally inspect the military bases and surrounding properties at the heart of three class actions against the Commonwealth of Australia over land contamination from allegedly toxic firefighting foam.