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Hotel quarantine class action can’t proof witnesses ahead of criminal trial
The state of Victoria has won its bid to prevent lawyers for a class action over Victoria's COVID-19 hotel quarantine debacle from proofing lay witnesses, ahead of a criminal trial against the Department of Health, which is due to start in May.
‘I worked like a navvy’: Judge slams TWU for eleventh hour claim against Qantas
A judge has chided the Transport Workers Union for announcing at the start of trial that it intends to seek lost union dues from Qantas, as a hearing kicked off over the amount of compensation the airline owes to ground crew, whose jobs were illegally outsourced at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Former AFL player loses COVID-19 vaccine case against Channel 9
Former AFL player and sports presenter Warren Tredea has failed in his $1.5 million breach of contract case against Channel 9, which terminated an agreement with him for refusing to have a COVID-19 vaccine.
Law firm wins 30% contingency fee rate in IAG shareholder class action
The law firm behind a class action against Insurance Australia Group has secured a group costs order that will give it 30 per cent of any proceeds -- a contingency fee rate six percentage points higher than the median rate for shareholder cases.
Queensland court finds COVID-19 vaccine directive unlawful
The Supreme Court of Queensland has found that a 2021 direction for police officers to receive the COVID-19 vaccination was unlawful and a similar mandate for ambulance service workers had no effect.
Judge says settlement offers should operate as bulwark against costs in class actions
A judge has held that there could be favourable costs consequences for Carnival if its rejected $15 million settlement offer in the Ruby Princess class action turns out to be more generous than the ultimate damages award, departing from a previous ruling that so-called Calderbank offers do not operate in group proceedings. 
Ruby Princess class action rejected $15M settlement offer, court told
Cruise ship operator Carnival PLC has flagged a bid for indemnity costs after the lead applicant in a class action over a COVID-19 outbreak aboard the Ruby Princess rejected a $15 million settlement offer.
COVID-19 aged care class actions put on ice pending criminal trials
Still in the dark about insurance coverage and seeking to stem the flow of cash, two class actions against Heritage Care and St Basil’s over COVID-19 outbreaks have been shelved pending the outcome of criminal cases against the Victorian aged care providers, in a decision the judge said “wouldn't gladden the hearts of group members”. 
Businesses should brace for roll-on effects of COVID-19, says insolvency expert
COVID-19 lockdowns may have ended years ago but the impacts on small businesses are only now being seen, with larger companies likely to suffer a “contagion effect” in 2024, says K&L Gates’ newest partner.
Anglicare denies duty of care to family members in COVID-19 outbreak class action
Aged care provider Anglicare has hit back at a class action filed on behalf of 25 people whose loved ones died during a COVID-19 outbreak at the Newmarch House in Sydney, saying it owed no duty of care to prevent mental harm to its residents’ family members.