Analysis
High Court’s PepsiCo ruling means Christmas came early for many multinationals
While multinational companies will welcome a recent High Court decision that let PepsiCo off the hook for royalty withholding tax and diverted profits tax, experts agree the decision won't provide a carte blanche to skirt taxes.
Business of Law
Corrs Chambers nabs corporate partner from Gilbert + Tobin
Corrs Chambers Westgarth has lured a corporate lawyer who spent 14 years working at Gilbert + Tobin, its latest hire from the rival firm.
Class Actions
JB Hi-Fi can’t get separate hearing on novel question in warranties class action
JB Hi-Fi has lost its bid for a hearing on a separate question in a class action over allegedly worthless warranties, with a judge saying the novel question has not been considered by the High Court and could lead to appeals.
AI
AI use by self-repped litigants may need ‘more intrusive’ case management: court
A recent property dispute involving a self-represented litigant who relied on AI-generated submissions, including at least one 'hallucinated' case, has prompted questions about the need for more active case management of the use of AI by unrepresented parties to prevent wasting court time.
Class Actions
Cudeco class action judge threatens to set trial down if KPMG settlement not finalised
A judge hearing a class action over the collapse of mining company Cudeco has questioned why, despite an in-principle settlement being reached with auditor KPMG, the parties have not sought to formally dismiss the claim.
Employment
Reject Shop class action appeals after judge bars retroactive amendments
The applicant in an employment class action against The Reject Shop is appealing a court decision that found it could amend the case and redefine the group members but not retroactively.
Competition & Consumer Protection
ACCC probes energy plans that mislead consumers about savings
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is looking into energy companies’ promotional materials after consumer advocacy group CHOICE complained that offers of savings are designed to overwhelm and confuse while not offering real value.
Privacy & Cybersecurity
TPG Telecom investigating data breach affecting iiNET customers
TPG Telecom has launched an investigation following a cyber incident which resulted in 280,000 emails of iiNet customers being accessed by hackers.
Employment
Qantas hit with $90M penalty for outsourcing ground crew during COVID-19
A judge has hit Qantas with a $90 million penalty for unlawfully outsourcing its ground crew staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the airline was “the wrong kind of sorry”.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Google to cop $55M penalty for anti-competitive agreements with Telstra, Optus
Google has agreed to pay a $55 million penalty for making anti-competitive agreements requiring Telstra and Optus to pre-install Google Search on Android devices they sold.
