Class Actions
High Court shoots down solicitors’ CFO in Blue Sky class action
The High Court has unanimously found the Federal Court has no power to allow solicitors to take a cut of a settlement or judgment in a shareholder class action against Blue Sky, saying it would be contrary to rules against contingency fees in NSW.
Analysis
Victoria’s lure as class action venue to continue, but solicitors’ CFOs may not be ruled out
Victoria will attract even more class actions after the High Court shot down solicitors' common fund orders as clashing with NSW rules, but the door may still be open to garden state lawyers to try their luck in the Federal Court.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Court awards Google adtech class action prize to cooperating law firms
A judge has spiked Piper Alderman's class action alleging Google abuses its dominance in digital advertising, favouring a competing case run jointly by two other firms, despite suggesting such arrangements hinted at lawyers “passing the prize around”.
Employment
High Court confirms employers must consider redeployment before redundancy
The High Court has upheld a decision that found Helensburgh Coal should have tried to redeploy 22 workers it dismissed as redundant and replaced with contractors.
Business of Law
K&L Gates nabs Deloitte tax partner with transfer pricing dispute chops
K&L Gates has bolstered its tax disputes offering, snagging a partner from Deloitte with experience in transfer pricing controversies for its Sydney office.
Defamation
Barrister moves to disqualify cavoodle case judge over lunch with silk
A Sydney barrister who won defamation proceedings against Nine over an Instagram-famous cavoodle has sought to disqualify a judge from hearing a dispute with her solicitors over costs, citing a lunch he had with Nine’s silk.
Crime
Former FWC senior president charged with possessing child abuse material
A legal academic and former senior president of the Fair Work Commission is facing charges after child abuse material allegedly flashed on his screen during a lecture at Monash University.
Construction
Lipman loses $7M payment claim row with A-Civil over Eugowra emergency housing
Construction company Lipman has struck out in its bid to claw back a $7 million payment determination made in A-Civil’s favour, with a court finding no error by an adjudicator.
Construction
Lion Property Group entities wound up, as Victoria Police eyes liquidators’ report
A judge has made winding up orders against companies connected to Lion Property Group and allowed Victoria Police to access a confidential report from the luxury Melbourne developer's provisional liquidators.
Construction
First Nations group moves to halt Victoria Park Olympic stadium
A First Nations group has called on the federal government to block the development of a stadium in Brisbane's Victoria Park for the 2032 Olympic Games, arguing the park is a significant site that would be desecrated by the development.
