Class Actions
Class action law firm not so lucky in second bid for 35% contingency fee
A judge has cut a 35 per cent contingency fee sought by a law firm running a shareholder class action against Origin Energy, even after a different judge approved the rate in a separate case by the firm.
Class Actions
Plus500 says class action must arbitrate claims over CFDs
Online trader Plus500 is seeking to stay a class action on behalf of investors who lost money trading in highly leveraged financial products, telling a court the applicant signed an agreement forcing the dispute into arbitration.
Defamation
Ten attacks Bruce Lehrmann’s ‘perverse’ bid for damages in defamation appeal
Network Ten has attacked the “perversity” of ex-Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann’s argument that a judge's finding that he raped former colleague Brittany Higgins should be overturned because the trial judge did not accept every detail of Higgins’ account.
Business of Law
Master of cheerful persuasion takes seat at the bench
A “unicorn” silk affectionately nicknamed the Ted Lasso of the Victorian Bar has been appointed to the Supreme Court at the age of 46, capping a rapid rise from commercial practice and class action work.
Dion Fahey
Macquarie’s car loan class action settlement wins court OK
A judge has signed off on Macquarie Leasing's settlement in one of three class actions against lenders over flexible commissions paid to car dealers.
Business of Law
Corrs Chambers nabs corporate partner from Gilbert + Tobin
Corrs Chambers Westgarth has lured a corporate lawyer who spent 14 years working at Gilbert + Tobin, its latest hire from the rival firm.
Analysis
High Court’s PepsiCo ruling means Christmas came early for many multinationals
While multinational companies will welcome a recent High Court decision that let PepsiCo off the hook for royalty withholding tax and diverted profits tax, experts agree the decision won't provide a carte blanche to skirt taxes.
Class Actions
JB Hi-Fi can’t get separate hearing on novel question in warranties class action
JB Hi-Fi has lost its bid for a hearing on a separate question in a class action over allegedly worthless warranties, with a judge saying the novel question has not been considered by the High Court and could lead to appeals.
AI
AI use by self-repped litigants may need ‘more intrusive’ case management: court
A recent property dispute involving a self-represented litigant who relied on AI-generated submissions, including at least one 'hallucinated' case, has prompted questions about the need for more active case management of the use of AI by unrepresented parties to prevent wasting court time.
Class Actions
Cudeco class action judge threatens to set trial down if KPMG settlement not finalised
A judge hearing a class action over the collapse of mining company Cudeco has questioned why, despite an in-principle settlement being reached with auditor KPMG, the parties have not sought to formally dismiss the claim.
