High Court

The High Court has dismissed a case by a law firm client who claimed he was entitled under the law of restitution to $1.4 million in interest on a $900,000 sum his lawyers repaid in a fight about legal fees.

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.

Having lost a challenge to privatisation agreements by NSW Ports, the competition regulator wants to intervene in a High Court appeal by Mayfield Developments, which failed in its own case against the port authority.

The High Court has been asked to clarify the extent to which computer-implemented ideas are eligible for patent protection, with IP Australia appealing a win for gaming giant Aristocrat.

The competition regulator is seeking to intervene in Mayfield Development's appeal to the High Court in a case the developer says could have "startling" consequences.

The High Court has upheld a decision to refuse a visa for conservative US commentator Candace Owens, finding the Migration Act's character test did not infringe on the Constitution's implied freedom of political communication.

The High Court has approved the imposition of additional land tax on non-residents and foreign-owned entities, finding that the Commonwealth government had the power to limit the application of international tax agreements.

Billabong founder Gordon Merchant has won the ear of the High Court in his fight over what the ATO claims was a "wash sale" of his 10 million shares in the retailer, but the justices have also agreed to hear the tax office's appeal.

The High Court has rejected a special leave application by the owners of land acquired to build a Melbourne freeway that sought to overturn an "erroneous" appeals court decision which left them with $2 million for land worth over $30 million.

Mayfield Developments has argued the High Court should overturn a finding that NSW Ports was protected by derivative Crown immunity in entering allegedly uncompetitive agreements to privatise two ports, saying the decision could have “startling” consequences such as allowing the state to devise cartel arrangements.