A property developer has been ordered to pay $11.2 million to the liquidators of Plutus Payroll after a judge found he helped an employee of the defunct payroll services company “wash” money he blackmailed from the company’s directors.
Engineering and construction firm Laing O’Rourke has been ordered to pay a former employee $1.5 million in loss and damages following his dismissal over false claims he was aggressive towards Stayz hosts who complained about a late night work party.
HFW has snagged two partners specialising in litigation and restructuring and insolvency from Johnson Winter Slattery, including the firm’s litigation practice group head.
Cruise operator Carnival PLC has mounted a cross-appeal aimed at overturning a judge’s finding that it negligently failed to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship, telling the Full Court that the primary judge’s findings were not consistent with his reasons.
Barristers have welcomed as a positive step a proposal by the Australian Bar Association to require yearly discrimination and harassment training to the rules governing the professional development of members.
The law firm running class actions against ANZ and Westpac has been pulled up for claiming confidentiality over a solicitor’s affidavits on the costs incurred by the applicants since the court approved settlements in the cases.
ASIC has won its bid to appoint receivers to a managed investment scheme run by Keystone Asset Management after expressing “grave concerns” that investor funds were used to pay sports stars and buy a $4.3 million home for its former director.
A judge has thrown out a defamation case by John Peros, the former boyfriend of Shandee Blackburn, over a podcast by The Australian dealing with her murder, finding he did not suffer serious harm from the publication.
A judge has granted broad discovery to a shareholder class action against IAG over COVID-related disclosures, saying the documents sought were relevant to determining the likelihood the insurer knew of the risk that it would have to pay out business interruption claims covered by polices that referenced defunct legislation.
Transurban has reached a confidential settlement in a case by an employee alleging sexual harassment, the second employment suit the toll road operator has resolved this month by a female worker.
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