Class Actions
High Court shoots down solicitors’ CFO in Blue Sky class action
The High Court has unanimously found the Federal Court has no power to allow solicitors to take a cut of a settlement or judgment in a shareholder class action against Blue Sky, saying it would be contrary to rules against contingency fees in NSW.
Defamation
Barrister moves to disqualify cavoodle case judge over lunch with silk
A Sydney barrister who won defamation proceedings against Nine over an Instagram-famous cavoodle has sought to disqualify a judge from hearing a dispute with her solicitors over costs, citing a lunch he had with Nine’s silk.
Crime
Former FWC senior president charged with possessing child abuse material
A legal academic and former senior president of the Fair Work Commission is facing charges after child abuse material allegedly flashed on his screen during a lecture at Monash University.
Sports
‘Outlandish training’: Ex-NRL player sues club over career-ending injury
Former NRL player Lloyd Perrett has launched a lawsuit against his former club, alleging his career was cut short after sustaining permanent injuries from the club’s training regime.
Appeals
Live exports case set for more delays, as class action files appeal
The applicant in a long-running class action over the government's live exports ban has lodged an appeal after a judge has found that no additional cattle would have been exported to Indonesia in 2012 and 2013 if the ban had not been in place.
Retail
Kmart faces action over Uyghur forced labour claims
Kmart is facing legal action to determine whether the retail giant has engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct over alleged forced labour of members of a Chinese ethnic minority group.
Intellectual Property
Lendlease proves ‘residual reputation’ in legacy trade mark Civil & Civic
Construction giant Lendlease has retained its rights to the 'Civil & Civic' name despite the brand falling into disuse, with IP Australia accepting the company retained a reputation in the valuable legacy trade mark.
Intellectual Property
IP Australia cans Better Beer’s brand battle with rival TRADIE
Craft brewer Better Beer has lost a challenge to rival TRADIE’s bid to register a trade mark for the promotional phrase 'TRADIE Beer Built Better', with IP Australia finding no real danger of confusion between the brands.
Class Actions
Attacked as untenable, Bupa class action faces potential summary dismissal bid
A class action against aged care provider Bupa faced tough questions by a judge on Monday, who grilled counsel over the case's theory of loss. And the answers — rather than reassuring her — raised the spectre of a summary judgment fight.
M&A
Mayne Pharma may face disclosure breach claim over $672M merger collapse
A court has heard US drug maker Cosette may amend its case to accuse Adelaide's Mayne Pharma of continuous disclosure breaches in their battle over the termination of their $672 million merger.
