Tax
High Court to hear ATO, Billabong founder’s appeals in $30M tax spat
Billabong founder Gordon Merchant has won the ear of the High Court in his fight over what the ATO claims was a "wash sale" of his 10 million shares in the retailer, but the justices have also agreed to hear the tax office's appeal.
Class Actions
Shine Lawyers wants EML class action fee bumped back to rejected rate
The contingency fee rate sought by Shine Lawyers in its bid to vary a group costs order in a class action against EML Payments has been revealed as the percentage profit it initially proposed to a judge, who took an ax to it three years ago.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Pentana can’t withdraw admissions in misuse of market power case
A judge has declined car dealer software supplier Pentana's bid to withdraw admissions made over four years ago in a dispute with competitor Titan DMS.
Business of Law
KWM’s head of competition named new ACCC commissioner
After departing the ACCC 25 years ago for private practice, the national head of King & Wood Mallesons' competition law group has won a five-year appointment as commissioner.
Corporate
Lander & Rogers appoints corporate partner from Clayton Utz
Lander & Rogers has recruited a contracting specialist from Clayton Utz for the law firm's corporate practice in Canberra.
Intellectual Property
Samsung Bioepis shoots down Janssen patent for ulcerative colitis biologic
Samsung Bioepis has successfully opposed Janssen's bid to patent a monoclonal antibody to treat ulcerative colitis, but an IP Australia delegate has given the J&J-owned company a chance to fix its application.
Business of Law
Piper Alderman nabs litigation funding expert
Piper Alderman has appointed a new partner to its litigation team in Sydney with specialist expertise in litigation funding.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Elders’ $475M bid for Delta Agribusiness wins OK with store sell-off
The ACCC will not stand in the way of Elders’ $475 million takeover of rival farm supplier Delta Agribusiness, after the agribusiness giant provided an undertaking to divest six Delta stores in Western Australia.
Competition & Consumer Protection
ACCC not ready to let Yamaha acquisition of Telwater sail through
The competition regulator has expressed worries that Yamaha Motor's proposed acquisition of aluminium trailer boat maker Telwater could substantially lessen competition in the wholesale supply of outboard motors.
Appeals
Rent-to-own company appeals $7.4M penalty for Credit Act breaches
A rental company providing long-term leases for household items has appealed a ruling slapping it with a $7.4 million penalty for loan agreements that did not comply with credit laws.
