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A leading barrister has been appointed by the NSW premier to head an inquiry to investigate the docking and disembarking of the Ruby Princess cruise ship, now linked to 18 COVID-19 related deaths.
Tips from top barristers on litigating in a virtual courtroom
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The novel coronavirus pandemic has forced Australian courtrooms into the virtual world, with many barristers and solicitors litigating via phone or video for the first time. Here, some of Australia’s top barristers offer tips on how to bring your A game into the virtual realm.
Trade mark blues: Italian consortiums fail to protect their cheeses
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Two Italian cheese consortiums have failed in separate bids to trade mark their respective cheeses, Gorgonzola and Asiago, with delegates ruling the trade marks were not capable of distinguishing each consortium’s products from other cheeses.
CFMEU hit with $3M judgment for industrial action against Chevron
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Chevron has won a $3 million judgment against the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union, after a court found the Maritime Union of Australia, now part of the CFMEU, engaged in unlawful industrial action in opposing the energy giant’s use of foreign crews.
Class can’t access insurance docs in action over ‘illusory’ car warranties
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The applicant in a $47.6 million class action against a unit of car leasing company McMillan Shakespeare has been denied access to insurance documents sought to determine the value of the case, with a judge saying access would “distort the playing field”.
Bega triumphs again in $60M battle over peanut butter IP rights
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Kraft has lost an appeal in its high-stakes legal battle against Bega over the right to use its distinctive peanut butter trade dress in Australia.
Judge shoots down request for soft closure in breast implants class action
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The plaintiffs in a class action against Dr Eddy Dona, the director of defunct chain the Cosmetic Institute, over allegedly botched breast implants have lost their bid for a ‘soft’ class closure order, with a judge saying the class already had sufficient information to engage in settlement negotiations.
‘This is the reality of litigation in Australia’: Class action clashes with Ford over virtual trial
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Arguing that the court should not be “baulking at problems that have the potential to occur”, counsel for a class action against Ford is pushing back against a bid by the car maker to put the brakes on an upcoming virtual trial the company says will be too difficult and costly.
Judge ‘pleasantly surprised’ by virtual trials, refuses to delay GetSwift hearing
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A judge has refused to delay a civil penalty hearing brought by ASIC against GetSwift, scheduled to begin in June, after the logistics company argued that the virtual hearing necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic would be prejudicial and the proceedings should be adjourned.
Quintis reaches settlement in shareholder class action
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Sandalwood producer Quintis has agreed to settle two class actions by shareholders, but the claims against company founder Frank Wilson and auditor EY will proceed for now.