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A tale of two class actions: Helmed by same legal team, Murray Goulburn, Banksia cases chart different paths
The Murray Goulburn class action run by Elliott Legal bears similarities to the Banksia class action, a case rife with scandal and offered up by opponents as proof of the problems with the class action regime. The leading lawyers were the same in both cases. In one they have abandoned any claim to their fees and have walked away from their careers. In the other they walked away with $5 million.
Banksia judge to hear case against lawyer Alex Elliott after appeals court nixes recusal bid
An appeals court has dismissed a second bid by lawyer Alex Elliott to have the judge overseeing the Banksia class action disqualified from hearing claims that he, like his late father, was party to an alleged fraudulent scheme in running the litigation.
Amen, says judge as 25-year Bell Group saga laid to rest
In an "ode to a dying corporation" a Western Australia judge known for his droll judgments has waxed poetic in approving the end of a quarter century of litigation over the collapse of Alan Bond's Bell Group of companies, penning what he described in mock solemnity as "more of a requiem than a judgment".
Major insolvency reforms to reboot economy draw criticism from lawyers
The Morrison government has announced significant reforms to insolvency laws as part of its economic recovery plan that take inspiration from US chapter 11 laws, but Australia's peak legal body has said the timeframe for the changes and lack of consultation were "very concerning".
Clive Palmer can’t get law firm, funder docs for possible Queensland Nickel claim
The Queensland Supreme Court has shot down an "entirely speculative" bid by two Clive Palmer-owned companies to access information held by two law firms and a litigation funder, as the mining magnate mulls a lawsuit for potential breaches of a settlement reached in the Queensland Nickel liquidation proceedings.
Mayfair’s Mawhinney hires Ashurst after lengthy ASIC submission
The director of the beleaguered Mayfair investment group, who has been self-represented in winding up proceedings by ASIC, has now entered into a late stage retainer with law firm Ashurst, with his barrister saying he could no longer manage the case on his own after the regulator filed a lengthy affidavit.
‘Sad and tragic’: Court winds up Mayfair’s IPO Wealth Fund
A  judge has ordered 17 companies connected to Mayfair's "failed" IPO Wealth Fund to be wound up after finding the fund's director put investor money at risk through "highly speculative" investments to make a windfall for himself.
Mayfair director should not be put in charge of other people’s money, court told
Companies associated with Mayfair's IPO Wealth Fund should be wound up because they contained assets "artificially inflated" in value and ran what was effectively a Ponzi scheme, the Victoria Supreme Court has heard.
Mayfair director slams ‘erroneous’ Deloitte report in ASIC winding up case
The director of besieged investment group Mayfair 101 has called for an investigation into the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, calling a winding up proceeding brought by the financial watchdog "a form of malicious prosecution" based on a "flawed fundamental misunderstanding" and supported by an erroneous report from auditor Deloitte.
Banksia judge orders Alex Elliott to reveal financial interests in father’s companies
Alex Elliott, the son of former Banksia Securities class action lawyer Mark Elliott, must hand over documents revealing his financial interests in his father’s litigation funding company and law firm, after the judge overseeing professional misconduct claims against lawyers in the class action rejected his claims that the discovery was a fishing expedition.