Competition & Consumer Protection
Firms that team up to avoid class action beauty parade could breach competition law: judge
A judge that granted carriage of a Google ad tech class action to Maurice Blackburn and Phi Finney McDonald has reiterated concerns that such cooperative arrangements between firms could breach competition law.
Privacy & Cybersecurity
Privacy regulator takes Optus to court over data breach
The Office of Australian Information Commissioner has brought civil penalty proceedings against Optus over a 2022 data breach that affected up to 10 million people, as the telco also faces a class action and related proceedings by the media regulator.
Class Actions
Judge ‘troubled’ about binding Coles, Woolworths class actions to ACCC trial findings
A judge overseeing class actions against Coles and Woolworths over alleged illusory discounts has raised concerns about a bid to bind group members to findings in similar cases by the ACCC.
Politics
Convicted rapist MP Gareth Ward can’t halt expulsion motion in NSW Parliament
An appeals court has rejected a bid by NSW MP and convicted rapist Gareth Ward to block state parliament from expelling him until any appeals against his conviction are determined.
Intellectual Property
Uber win ‘guts’ Allotz’s infringement case over surge pricing patents, court told
A court ruling for Uber that found hotel management software maker Allotz's surge pricing patents were invalid has gutted its infringement case against former lawyer Francis Galbally, a court has heard.
Defamation
Defamation case against AFR by Bird’s Basement owner can proceed despite delay
The owner of Melbourne jazz venue Bird’s Basement has been given the greenlight to pursue defamation action, lodged after the one-year deadline, over an AFR report on a former employee's case.
Appeals
New Aim appeals trade secrets loss over employee’s WeChat contacts
E-commerce merchandise importer New Aim is challenging the dismissal of its trade secrets case against a former employee, who gave the contact details of the company's suppliers to a competitor after jumping ship.
Analysis
Allure of Victoria as class action venue reinforced by High Court ruling
Victoria will continue to be a magnet for class actions after the High Court shot down solicitors' common fund orders as clashing with NSW law, but the door may still be open for garden state lawyers to try their luck in the Federal Court.
Class Actions
High Court shoots down solicitors’ CFO in Blue Sky class action
The High Court has unanimously found the Federal Court has no power to allow solicitors to take a cut of a settlement or judgment in a shareholder class action against Blue Sky, saying it would be contrary to rules against contingency fees in NSW.
Food and Beverage
Goodman Fielder secures orders for $10.5M from employee
Food giant Goodman Fielder has secured a $10.5 million judgment in a case against a former employee.
