Class Actions
Banksia class action silk pleads not guilty, committed to stand trial
Former senior barrister Norman O’Bryan has pleaded not guilty to two criminal charges in connection with his role as counsel for the Banksia Securities class action.
White Collar
Barrister in Banksia class action can’t keep criminal committal hearing under wraps
Former barrister Norman O’Bryan has lost his bid to suppress reporting on the hearing where he was committed to stand trial for criminal offences related to his role in the Banksia class action, with a magistrate finding the orders would be “futile”.
Business of Law
Corrs litigation trio jumps ship to Jones Day
Three Corrs Chambers Westgarth litigation partners are planning to make the jump to US firm Jones Day.
M&A
Mayne Pharma wins suit over Cosette’s termination of $672M takeover
Mayne Pharma has won a dispute with US drug maker Cosette over the termination of a $672 million merger agreement, with a judge finding Mayne did not breach its continuous disclosure obligations by failing to disclose a letter from the US FDA sooner.
Intellectual Property
High Court called on to overturn Aristocrat’s gaming patent win
The High Court has been asked to clarify the extent to which computer-implemented ideas are eligible for patent protection, with IP Australia appealing a win for gaming giant Aristocrat.
High Court
US commentator Candace Owens loses High Court visa challenge
The High Court has upheld a decision to refuse a visa for conservative US commentator Candace Owens, finding the Migration Act's character test did not infringe on the Constitution's implied freedom of political communication.
Employment
Brookfield settles with manager who was axed on parental leave
Brookfield Properties has admitted that it failed to follow procedures on consultation and redeployment when it made a senior manager redundant when she was on parental leave.
Policy and Regulation
Queensland defamation bill to shield social media, boost court powers
The Queensland government has introduced defamation reforms to bring it in line with other jurisdictions and prevent “forum shopping,” adding a new defence for social media platforms and increasing powers for courts.
Business of Law
King & Spalding launches in Australia with Sydney office
New York-headquartered King & Spalding has launched an Australian practice, opening a Sydney office as a gateway to the firm’s global platform for Australian multinationals and clients with business in the region.
