Class Actions
Court slashes law firm’s contingency fee in Hino class action
A judge has hacked Maurice Blackburn’s promised cut of an $87 million settlement in a class action against Hino Motors, saying the 24.66 per cent group costs order previously approved by the court would result in a “disproportionate return” to the firm.
Business of Law
Lander & Rogers hires new disputes partner from Holding Redlich
Lander & Rogers has welcomed an administrative law pro as a partner in its Sydney-based commercial disputes team.
Social Media
Meta loses second strike-out bid in ACCC crypto ads case
Meta has lost its latest bid to strike out the consumer regulator’s case alleging it failed to put up “reasonable safeguards” to prevent scam cryptocurrency ads on its Facebook platform.
Class Actions
‘This should not be done again’: Judge slams complex Coles, Woolworths trial
A judge has criticised the “unacceptably complex” trial of two regulatory cases and two underpayments class actions against Coles and Woolworths, delivering a ruling whose significance for the workers is not yet clear.
Class Actions
‘They will have their day in court’: Class action can’t intervene in ASIC suit against RAMS
The applicant in a class action by former RAMS franchisees can't intervene in proceedings by ASIC against the defunct Westpac mortgage unit, with a judge finding the outcome of the ASIC case will not affect the class action.
Class Actions
Judge questions delay in distribution of $73M Crown class action settlement
A judge has questioned why group members in a shareholder class action against Crown Resorts must wait until mid-2026 to receive the first slice of a $73 million settlement, which has already been paid by the casino operator.
ASIC
Mayfair’s Mawhinney hit with 15-year injunction in ASIC case
A judge has hit Mayfair Group director James Mawhinney with 15-year injunctions, after finding he took a "cavalier attitude to compliance" in marketing notes tied to Mission Beach properties in Queensland.
White Collar
Jury convicts Perth businessman Chris Marco on 43 counts over $34M fraud
A jury has convicted Perth businessman Chris Marco of defrauding six investors out of $34 million, but acquitted his former executive assistant.
Class Actions
Robodebt class action settles a second time for record $548.5M
A class action over the Morrison government’s Robodebt scheme has settled for $548.5 million, the largest class action settlement in Australia’s history, on the back of damning revelations in a royal commission report released after the class action originally settled for $112 million.
Intellectual Property
High Court to weigh in on honest concurrent use in Zip, Firstmac TM spat
The High Court is poised to provide guidance on the defence of honest concurrent use in trade mark disputes, agreeing to hear an appeal by buy now, pay later giant Zip Co in its fight with Firstmac over the 'Zip' trade mark.
