Region

A real estate agency in Victoria has lost a suit seeking the payment of its advertising costs from a former client, with a judge finding that writing 'TBA' in the contract defeated the consumer protection purpose of rules for real estate agents.

In response to a High Court ruling giving the Catholic Church an out for the actions of its priests, Victoria has vowed to introduce legislation to extend the vicarious liability of institutions, a move welcomed by plaintiff law firms.

The events described by an ex-Master Builders Association board member read like a best-seller, involving as they do boardroom drama, a secret investigation and an alleged whistleblower. But as thrilling as they sound, they don't support orders for discovery against the construction lobby group, a judge has said.

Twenty-one barristers in Victoria have won the title of senior counsel, including two class action lawyers from opposing sides of the bar table who have been involved in negotiating recent blockbuster settlements.

Mining giant Rio Tinto is considering ceasing operations at Australia's largest aluminium smelter amid rising energy costs.

Alinta Energy has won an urgent injunction against former contractors working on the Wagerup power station in Western Australia, saying delays on the project have caused daily losses of $137,000 in revenue since mid-July. 

The builder and developer of Sydney's 'The Eliza' apartment building have lost their challenge to a referee report that found it was reasonable for the owners to block them from rectifying defects.

The ACCC has asked a judge to slap Queensland-based mining equipment company Qteq with a penalty of between $11 million and $13 million after he found the company and its chairman attempted to engage in cartel conduct. 

The owner of Perth’s Eastpoint Plaza has denied infringing the copyright for office suite drawings by design firm HUB Interiors, saying the firm provided it with a licence and knew the plans might form part of its leasing arrangements with tenants. 

A judge has criticised the liquidators of a collapsed luxury homes business for a three-month delay in seeking court approval for a litigation funding agreement, warning other liquidators that they should apply for funding in advance.