Class Actions
Class action firms ‘doing well’ inherent part of contingency fee law, court told
Maurice Blackburn is seeking a 33 per cent cut of any settlement in a class action against Sportsbet, arguing that law firms "doing well" for themselves by running class actions is an inherent feature of the contingency fee scheme.
M&A
ACCC flags concerns over Kegstar’s acquisition of only competitor
The competition watchdog has raised concerns over the proposed tie-up of Kegstar and Konvoy -- the only operators in the niche industry of keg pooling -- saying the deal could mean higher prices.
Superannuation
ASIC sues Mercer Super over ‘longstanding and systemic’ failures
Mercer Super faces enforcement action by ASIC, alleging the superannuation giant failed to inform the watchdog about investigations into serious issues, including a failure to refund premiums to dead members.
Analysis
Apple, Google ruling to boost competition class actions against tech giants
A landmark finding that Apple and Google misused their market power will boost competition claims -- including class actions -- against other dominant digital market players and could prompt the ACCC to consider action, experts told Lawyerly.
Intellectual Property
PepsiCo wins High Court fight with ATO over royalty withholding tax
In a major loss for the Australian Taxation Office, a High Court majority has found an agreement between US soft drink giant PepsiCo and Schweppes Australia to sell brands such as Pepsi and Mountain Dew in Australia was not subject to a royalty withholding tax.
Financial Services
NAB hit with $15.5M penalty for mishandling financial hardship requests
National Australia Bank and its home loan lender subsidiary have been ordered to pay a $15.5 million penalty after admitting to mishandling hundreds of customer hardship applications.
Accounting
EY mulls damages against Alvarez & Marsal for alleged client poaching
EY may seek damages against rival consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal after it won preliminary discovery to pursue possible claims over a mass departure of partners and staff from its international tax practice.
High Court
Ex-MP Andrew Laming wins High Court challenge to Facebook post fines
The High Court has halved a $40,000 fine received by former Liberal MP Andrew Laming over three Facebook posts that breached electoral rules, finding the penalty should reflect the number of publications rather than the number of views.
Energy & Natural Resources
Port of Newcastle can’t have declarations in wharfage fee win against Glencore
A judge has refused a bid by the Port of Newcastle to make declarations following the dismissal of Glencore Coal's case claiming it was overcharged $874,000 in wharfage fees, saying her judgment was clear on its face.
Employment
Media access to Seven producer’s case will likely ‘imperil’ mediation: judge
Seven Network has secured a suppression order over court documents ahead of mediation in a lawsuit lodged by a long-time producer, with a judge agreeing media access to the case may “imperil” the settlement talks.
