Class Actions
‘You’ve been too slow’, judge tells applicant in Sony Playstation class action
The judge overseeing a class action alleging Sony used restrictive trade practices to block competition with its Playstation store has told the applicant to get “a bigger team” on the slow-moving case.
Privacy & Cybersecurity
Groth articles in Herald Sun ‘precisely’ the journalism exempt under privacy law, court told
Herald Sun articles about Victorian Deputy Liberal Leader Sam Groth's relationship with his wife, Brittany, are "precisely " the kind of journalism protected by an exemption in new privacy laws, a court has heard.
Competition & Consumer Protection
High Court declines to clarify accessorial liability in payday lenders’ appeal
The High Court has declined to hear an appeal of a ruling that found the directors of payday lenders Cigno and BSF are liable for the companies' unlicensed credit activity.
Competition & Consumer Protection
End of the road for Mercedes-Benz dealers, as High Court passes up appeal
The High Court has put the brakes on a $650 million case by Mercedes-Benz dealers over the car maker's switch to a fixed-price sales model, despite acknowledging the "important issues" the appeal raised.
Appeals
High Court appeals fail in strip search case against Qatar Airways
The High Court won't weigh in on a case over strip searches of Qatar Airways passengers, following a mixed ruling that revived claims against the airline but found Qatar's aviation authority could not be sued.
AI
Microsoft offers refund to customers ACCC claims were duped into taking AI product
Microsoft has offered to refund millions of customers who the consumer cop says unwittingly subscribed to its AI assistant Copilot without being told a cheaper AI-free option was available.
Employment
FSU puts banks on notice following landmark WFH ruling
The Finance Sector Union has warned the country's biggest banks they could be flouting workplace laws if they refuse flexible work requests, following a landmark court victory for a Westpac worker whose work from home request was denied.
Human Rights
Trial in pianist’s case against MSO over Gaza remarks stretched to three weeks
A judge has lengthened the trial in pianist Jayson Gillham's case against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra from five to 15 days, noting the substantial number of witnesses and the reputational consequences of the case.
Greenwashing
Hesta, Prime Super pay ASIC fines for greenwashing
Superannuation funds Hesta and Prime Super have been pinged by the corporate regulator for allegedly greenwashing their investment portfolios.
Settlement
Colonial First State, AIA settle class action for $140M
Wealth manager Colonial First State Investments and insurer AIA have reached a $140 million settlement in a long-running class action alleging 700,000 superannuation members were charged inflated premiums on insurance products linked to former owner CBA.
