The Australian Taxation Office has finalised its protocol for dealing with claims of legal professional privilege, developed in response to large companies asserting “reckless” privilege claims which the ATO says obstruct its investigations.
A judge who will oversee an upcoming hearing for approval of a $20 million settlement in a class action against Optus contractor BSA has urged the parties to sever the funder’s commission and costs from the settlement to avoid delays in distribution to group members.
The full bench of the Fair Work Commission has thrown out Qantas’ bid to overturn the reinstatement of a trainer accused of staring at a flight attendant’s breasts and gazing into her eyes in a “distinguishably lewd” manner during a safety demonstration.
Construction giant Hutchinson has succeeded in bringing claims against a related entity of a Port Melbourne property developer over a $153 million project after alleging the developer was a “company of straw” that had no assets.
The Australian Conservation Foundation has brought proceedings against oil and gas producer Woodside Energy, arguing its Scarborough gas project in Western Australia cannot go ahead until its climate impacts are assessed.
The former general counsel of UK-based transit payment provider Littlepay was dismissed because her legal support was “problematic”, the fintech claims in response to allegations she faced bullying and discrimination upon returning to work after giving birth.
Crown Casino has been given conditional approval to reopen gaming operations in Sydney following its takeover by private equity firm Blackstone.
The Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner has suspended wealth guru Dominique Grubisa’s law licence, saying she is “not entitled to engage in legal practice anywhere in Australia” and could face further regulatory action.
Apple and Google have been hit with class actions alleging they violated competition laws by charging customers inflated commission on certain apps and in-app purchases.
Law firm Sparke Helmore negligently failed to alert a NSW developer to an imminent deadline for two land sale contracts in a troubled $30 million development because a paralegal, rather than a solicitor, was “at the helm”, an appeals court has heard.
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