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Funder likens itself to pinata in hearing over $9.5M class action settlement
The funder behind a class action against McMillan Shakespeare has warned against the court beating it up like a 'pinata' in a settlement approval hearing in which the judge expressed "real concerns" about the portion of a $9.5 million settlement earmarked for group members.
Judge was wrong to ignore pelvic mesh doctors, J&J says in high-stakes appeal
The judge who found J&J's pelvic mesh implants defective in a high stakes class action ruling mde a "pervasive error" in disregarding the knowledge and views of the applicants' doctors, an appeals court has heard. 
Judge refuses class action’s bid to amend forex cartel case against banks
A judge has sided with five investments banks and rejected a bid to amend a class action alleging a series of cartel agreements to rig foreign exchange rates, saying there were "substantial problems" with the proposed pleadings.
Concerns about courts wading into funding commission rates ‘exaggerated’, judge says
Concerns behind criticism that courts aren't equipped to assess a class action funder's commission are exaggerated, and the fixing by judges of reasonable remuneration, at least in other cases, is nothing new, a Federal Court judge has said.
Woolworths to pay $44.5M to settle shareholder class action
A $100 million shareholder class action against supermarket giant Woolworths has settled for $44.5 million, a few days before a 15-day trial was set to begin.
Quintis insurers may have to cough up extra $11.25M in class action settlement
A lawsuit seeking to increase D&O insurance for sandalwood producer Quintis in the wake of a class action settlement has fallen short of the $40 million in additional coverage sought, but a Federal Court decision may see a further $11.25 million go to group members.
Shareholder secures access to books for possible class action against Orinoco Gold
Collapsed gold producer Orinoco Gold could face a class action after a shareholder won access to a raft of company documents to investigate the prospect of a group proceeding to recover losses.
$25M settlement reached in Dick Smith class actions
A $25 million settlement has been reached in three long-running shareholder class actions over the collapse of electronics retailer Dick Smith, under which the funders that backed the litigation will not recover their costs and shareholders recoveries will be small.
Fonterra warned farmers of ‘extreme’ global dairy price volatility, class action defence says
Fonterra has hit back at claims in a class action that the dairy giant misled farmers and breached its supply agreements when it slashed milk prices and sought a clawback in 2016, saying it warned farmers of the "extreme" volatility in the market.
Courts continue to shape class action regime with major 2020 rulings
In a year headlined by partisan sparring and mudslinging over the Federal Government’s class action reform effort, judges forged ahead to refine the class action regime, issuing significant judgments on common fund orders and class closure, and handing the first post-trial win to a company in a shareholder class action. Here, Lawyerly takes you through some of the major class action events in 2020 and their consequences for the year ahead.