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The Senate Economics Legislation Committee has thrown its support behind a bill which permits the use of computer programs to approve patents, trade marks, designs and plant varieties.
First union official hit with personal fine after High Court ruling
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The first personal fine against a union official has been handed down in the wake of the High Court’s ruling that courts can order union officials to pay out of their own pockets for violating the Fair Work Act.
Lawyers, litigation funders grade class action reform proposals
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Regulating third-party litigation funders gets a resounding yes, but experts are divided on removing the ban on contingency fees and other recommendations for reforming the class action regime. Lawyerly spoke to defence and plaintiff-side lawyers, as well as funders, for their take on the recent proposals, and five major talking points emerged.
Squire Patton Boggs loses epic battle over GetSwift client communications
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After a marathon hearing in court on Monday, law firm Squire Patton Boggs lost its battle to avoid client communication restraints that other parties in the GetSwift class action saga voluntarily agreed to.
Sportsbet launches trade mark suit against rival Crownbet
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Online bookrunner Crownbet has been sued by rival Sportsbet over its attempt to trade mark and operate under the “Sportingbet” name.
ACCC takes Pfizer competition case to High Court
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is seeking special leave from the High Court to appeal a ruling in a case alleging drug giant Pfizer misused its market power ahead of the expiration of its patent for Lipitor.
BHP faces class action by casual workforce
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Mining giant BHP Billiton has been hit with two class actions alleging it hired hundreds of mine workers as casual employees to avoid paying proper wages and benefits, and industry heavyweights Yancoal and Glencore may face similar claims in the coming months.
Unlockd’s administrators weigh litigation funding to continue Google case
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Unlockd’s administrators are weighing whether and how to continue the failed company’s legal fight with Google and have won a reprieve from a second meeting of creditors while they consider the options, which include third-party litigation funding.
FWC shoots down appeal of union merger approval
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Two employer groups have lost their appeal of a Fair Work Commission decision that signed off on the merger of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union with two other unions.
Fears of class action ‘explosion’ unfounded, VLRC chair says
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Any claims that Australia will face a US-style explosion of class actions if lawyers are free to charge contingency fees are unwarranted, the head of the Victorian Law Reform Commission told Lawyerly in response to criticism of recent litigation reform proposals.