Class Actions
AFL concussion class action survives declassing bid
A judge has rejected applications by the AFL and the Geelong Football Club to declass a concussion class action, but has ordered an initial trial that will cover only a fraction of the 38-year claim period in the case.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Class action will have to wait for damages in competition case against Apple, Google
A judge has put off deciding what damages group members are owed in two class actions against Apple and Google after finding the tech companies engaged in anti-competitive conduct in the app marketplace.
ASIC
ASIC appeals strike-out failure in Clive Palmer case
ASIC is trying again to strike out mining magnate Clive Palmer’s case over examinations conducted by the corporate regulator, after a judge found the case was sufficiently clear.
Professional Negligence
Former client accuses Shine Lawyers of suing wrong defendant
Shine Lawyers has been hit with a negligence suit by a former client who says he lost the chance to recover damages in a personal injury case after the firm sued the wrong party.
Competition & Consumer Protection
ACCC flags concerns over Igneo’s plan to acquire Benedict Recycling
The ACCC has raised competition concerns about the proposed acquisition of Benedict Recycling by its "closest competitor" Igneo Infrastructure Partners, a subsidiary of Australian asset management giant First Sentier Investors.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Cement Australia wins OK to acquire BGC assets after bringing Adbri into the mix
The ACCC has approved a deal that will see the assets of a unit of materials giant BGC Group sold to Cement Australia, Holcim, Heidelberg Materials Australia and Adbri, after worrying an initial proposal could affect the supply of ready-mix concrete in the Perth area.
Intellectual Property
Fortescue, Element Zero come to blows over discovery again, raising judge’s ire
A judge has expressed frustration over the fourth discovery fight this year in Fortescue’s trade secrets case against Element Zero, as the green iron startup claims its bigger rival is trying to drag out the litigation.
Class Actions
Developer wins bid to drop out of cladding class action, one year after trial
The developer of a tower in Mascot which is said to contain combustible cladding can opt out of a class action against 3A Composites and Halifax to bring its own claim for $15 million.
AUSTRAC
AUSTRAC trims money laundering case against Entain
The financial crimes regulator has trimmed its case against the operator of online gambling sites Ladbrokes and Neds, UK-based Entain, alleging “systemic failure” to comply with its anti-money laundering obligations.
Energy & Natural Resources
AMCI founder’s sacking of Australian boss not valid, court says
In the latest chapter of a feud between billionaires Fritz Kundrun and Hans Mende, the co-founders of global commodities firm AMCI, a court has found the sacking of the group's Australian managing director was invalid.
