Deloitte has lost its appeal of a ruling in a shareholder class action over the collapse of Hastie Group that compelled the production of audit files taken by a partner from the accounting giant’s litigation room, in a ruling that described the actions of the partner as “bordering on contempt” and slammed Deloitte for “cynically” exploiting the situation.
Supermarket chain Woolworths, which is facing a class action over its staff underpayments, has admitted the amount owed to workers is at least $315 million, far higher than the company’s initial estimate of $200 million to $300 million.
An Australian burger chain launched as a tribute to the popular American burger franchise In-N-Out has lost a trade mark infringement lawsuit, with a judge finding its name choice was “deceptively similar” and “cheeky”.
A judge overseeing patent litigation over the painkiller Dynastat has urged the parties to narrow any issues in dispute, saying the excessive amounts of money spent in these types of cases could harm public perception.
The former CEO of Respiri has levelled a slew of claims at the ASX-listed medical technology company and two of its former directors, including breach of the Fair Work Act, as well as failure to pay short term incentives (STI) and vest options valued at $2.2 million.
Former AMP general counsel Larissa Cook, who is suing the financial services giant for alleged bullying, wants her former employer to provide details of claims in its defence that senior executives raised concerns about her conduct and that her performance was being “managed”.
A company owned by mining magnate Clive Palmer has lost its bid to temporarily block funding for a class action over the troubled Coolum Palmer Resort, with the Federal Court finding that special levies garnered from villa owners to back the proceedings were above board and legal.
A ruling is expected Thursday in an appeal by the partnership of Deloitte over the production of audit files that were apparently stolen from the accounting giant’s litigation room, a high-stakes decision that will clarify the limits of a partnership’s right to claim privilege against self-incrimination.
A Pacific Current shareholder has won court approval to bring a derivative lawsuit against certain current and former directors of the funds management company for allegedly breaching their duty of care and diligence in relation to the company’s 2014 merger with US-based Northern Lights Capital Group.
A judge has questioned whether he should sign off on a $49.5 million settlement in a class action against National Australia Bank over allegedly worthless credit card insurance, which he said had a “fundamental flaw” because it did not contain a provision automatically cancelling group members’ policies.
For information on rights and reprints, contact subscriptions@lawyerly.com.au
