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Solicitors’ CFO ruling to bring more class actions to Federal Court, firms say
The Federal Court is set to become a more attractive forum for class actions now that the Full Court has confirmed it has power to make orders granting solicitors a contingency fee from any settlement or judgment in a group proceeding.
Ashurst, LegalVision sued over Woolworths lease transfer advice
A unit of petrol store chain EG Australia has sued Ashurst and LegalVision alleging they breached their implied duty of care through advice given to Woolworths about the assignment of a disputed Sydney petrol station lease.
DePuy class action member loses challenge to compensation, 12 years after settlement
A group member in a class action against Johnson & Johnson unit DePuy International has lost his bid to challenge his compensation determination 12 years after the case settled, with a judge finding that the independent counsel conducting the determination was not bound by the rules of procedural fairness.   
PayPal’s 60-day complaint deadline in small biz contracts unfair, judge says
The corporate regulator has secrued orders barring fintech giant PayPal from enforcing a term in its contracts with small businesses that set a two-month deadline for complaints about excess fees.
Noni B owner defends ACCC claims, blames COVID-19 for delivery delays
Fashion retailer Mosaic Brands has denied claims by the consumer cop that it failed to deliver hundreds of thousands of products to customers within advertised time frames, saying the delays were reasonable given COVID-19 and the failures of logistics and delivery partners, including Australia Post. 
Contingency fees for class action lawyers are allowed, says Full Court
Lawyers are allowed to take a cut from a class action settlement or judgment under a so-called solicitors’ common fund order, the Full Federal Court has ruled, saying they are a permissive use of the court’s power.
Baker McKenzie partner joins Clayton Utz to bolster corporate practice
Veteran corporate lawyer Jim Peterson has left Baker McKenzie to join the Clayton Utz team as a legal consultant in Brisbane.
Law firms take aim at rival’s ‘copied’ pleadings in battle to run IC Markets class action
In a contest to run a class action against International Capital Markets over risky derivative products, a proposed consolidated proceeding has taken aim at third-to-file Banton Group for allegedly copying its case. 
Santos wins bid for EDO communications as it pursues costs in Barossa pipeline case
Santos has largely succeeded in its bid for documents from the Environmental Defenders Office and expert witnesses in a failed case challenging the construction of the oil and gas company's $5.6 billion Barossa pipeline.
Lawyers weigh in on moratorium on climate disclosure litigation
A Greens senator has called for reducing a proposed immunity from climate disclosure litigation from three years to one after lawyers, including the NSW Bar Association, blasted the moratorium. But some law firms say the immunity doesn't go far enough and should shield companies and their officers from continuous disclosure-related claims.