A former prosecutor working for the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions in its sexual offences division has won a $435,000 judgment by the state’s Supreme Court after being diagnosed with depression and PTSD during her time working there.
Contingency fees are one step closer to becoming a reality in Australia, after the Victorian Parliament voted to advance a bill that would allow lawyers in the state to earn a percentage of recoveries in class actions.
The judges overseeing two competing class actions against Monsanto in the Federal and Victorian Supreme Courts may hold a joint sitting as the multiplicity fight continues and the chemical giant flags a future bid to either transfer or permanently stay the state court proceeding.
Popstar Katy Perry has rejected claims of trade mark infringment by Sydney-based fashion designer Katie Perry, saying the designer “encouraged or acquiesced to” the singer’s use of her name on branded clothing sold in Australia.
Wood products giant Boral Timber has been found vicariously liable for a male worker’s sexual harrassment of a female colleague, with an appeals court overturning a ruling that it said took a judge more than six years to deliver and “regrettably” brought the administration of justice into disrepute.
Caterpillar has scored a victory in one of several legal challenges the construction equipment manufacturer has launched to protect its ‘cat’ trade marks, successfully opposing the registration of the ‘ironcat’ mark for tyres and auto maintenance.
Baker McKenzie has nabbed former King & Wood Mallesons special counsel Charlie Detmold for the law firm’s key banking and finance practice in Melbourne.
A bill under debate in the Victorian parliament that would allow class action lawyers to charge contingency fees would improve access to justice and help address the current wage theft ‘epidemic’, a state Labor politician has said.
Prominent criminal barrister Zarah Garde-Wilson has asked a court for an order compelling search engine giant Google to hand over information identifying a contributor who posted a negative review of her Melbourne-based law firm.
The lead applicants in seven class actions against auto manufacturers over explosive Takata airbags have criticised the courts for losing their way in ensuring justice is done, in a landmark challenge to class closure orders made in the cases.
For information on rights and reprints, contact subscriptions@lawyerly.com.au
