Class Actions
Judge predicts companies will try to block team-ups by class actions firms
A Federal Court judge has predicted class action defendants will start arguing law firms cannot cooperate in running class actions, after a different judge hearing a case against Google recently remarked that such arrangements could be anti-competitive.
Competition & Consumer Protection
ACCC accuses Aldi produce suppliers of engaging in cartel conduct
The ACCC has accused four produce suppliers and three senior executives of fixing prices on vegetables supplied to discount grocery chain Aldi over a six-year period.
Business of Law
Gilbert + Tobin poaches Jones Day litigation partner
Gilbert + Tobin has lured a litigation partner from Jones Day who specialises in bet-the-company litigation, including class actions.
Class Actions
Class action expert concerned about ‘spike’ in contingency fees
A class actions expert has found there has been a spike in contingency fee rates in Victoria over the last two years, expressing concerns that the regime enacted in 2020 may be going in a different way than intended.
Competition & Consumer Protection
BlueScope loses appeal in ACCC’s attempted price-fixing case
An appeals court has dismissed BlueScope Steel's challenge to a decision finding it engaged in attempted price-fixing and was on the hook for a record $57.5 million penalty.
Class Actions
Contingency fee of 33% justified in novel Sportsbet class action: judge
A judge has approved a 33 per cent group costs order in a class action against Sportsbet, saying the relatively high rate was justified by the risks of running the “relatively novel case", which seeks repayment of gambling losses stemming from allegedly unlawful services.
Appeals
Appeal fails in attempted bid-rigging case over National Gallery tender
Industrial technology company Delta Building Automation has lost its fight over a finding that it attempted to rig a bid for construction work on the National Gallery of Australia and must pay a $1.5 million penalty.
Employment
Judge recuses himself from ‘sham contracting’ case against Uber
A judge has recused himself from hearing a 'sham contracting' case against Uber because he previously represented the rideshare giant in four similar matters when he was a barrister.
Intellectual Property
Dyno Nobel appeals loss in explosives patent spat with Orica
Explosives company Dyno Nobel is appealing a court's dismissal of its case seeking to invalidate patents owned by rival Orica for a wireless detonation device.
