Class Actions
High Court asked to clarify test for damages in shareholder class actions
Saying the appeals court committed "fundamental errors" in approaching their claim of loss, the applicants in failed cases against the Commonwealth Bank have appealed to the High Court, in a case that could clarity the elusive test for damages in shareholder class actions.
Financial Services
Macquarie admits failures over Keystone, vows to repay investors
Super trustee Macquarie Investment Management has admitted it failed to act efficiently, honestly and fairly after thousands of members invested $321 million in a Keystone fund under investigation for misusing funds.
AI
Qld’s top judge says lawyers citing non-existent cases risk referral, costs
The Chief Justice of the Queensland Supreme Court has warned lawyers they could be referred to the legal watchdog or face a personal costs order if they file submissions that contain hallucinations produced by generative artificial intelligence.
Intellectual Property
Abbey in ‘pyrrhic victory’ against Virbac over antiparasitic drug patent
Abbey Animal Health has managed only a “pyrrhic victory" in a patent case against rival Virbac over an antiparasitic drug, and must withdraw its Levamox Duo product from the market, a court has found.
Intellectual Property
Puma loses trade mark catfight with Tiger Woods’ sportswear brand
Puma has lost its opposition to a trade mark application by Tiger Woods' golf apparel and equipment brand Sun Day Red, failing to convince the Trade Marks Office that the company's logo is deceptively similar to its iconic leaping cat mark.
Employment
University of Wollongong to pay $6.6M to underpaid staff
The University of Wollongong has agreed to pay over $6.6 million to thousands of underpaid staff members as part of an enforceable undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Optus fined $100M for ‘appalling’ sales tactics
A judge has ordered embattled Optus to pay a $100 million penalty for “appalling” contraventions, after the telco admitted staff pressured customers into buying phones they couldn't afford.
Class Actions
Seven Network faces underpayments class action investigation
Media giant Seven Network is facing a class action investigation into possible underpayments, including the alleged failure to pay rest breaks and overtime.
Employment
ABC hit with $150K penalty for Antoinette Lattouf’s unfair dismissal
A judge has ordered the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to pay $150,000 for unfairly dismissing presenter Antoinette Lattouf because of her opposition to the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
Telecommunications
Optus appoints Kerry Schott to investigate Triple Zero failure
Optus has appointed former Sydney Water CEO and NBN Co director Kerry Schott to investigate a 13-hour Triple Zero outage linked to three deaths.
