Analysis
Allure of Victoria as class action venue reinforced by High Court ruling
Victoria will continue to be a magnet for class actions after the High Court shot down solicitors' common fund orders as clashing with NSW law, but the door may still be open for garden state lawyers to try their luck in the Federal Court.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Firms that team up to avoid class action beauty parade could breach competition law: judge
A judge that granted carriage of a Google ad tech class action to Maurice Blackburn and Phi Finney McDonald has reiterated concerns that such cooperative arrangements between firms could breach competition law.
Class Actions
Judge ‘troubled’ about binding Coles, Woolworths class actions to ACCC trial findings
A judge overseeing class actions against Coles and Woolworths over alleged illusory discounts has raised concerns about a bid to bind group members to findings in similar cases by the ACCC.
Politics
Convicted rapist MP Gareth Ward can’t halt expulsion motion in NSW Parliament
An appeals court has rejected a bid by NSW MP and convicted rapist Gareth Ward to block state parliament from expelling him until any appeals against his conviction are determined.
Intellectual Property
Uber win ‘guts’ Allotz’s infringement case over surge pricing patents, court told
A court ruling for Uber that found hotel management software maker Allotz's surge pricing patents were invalid has gutted its infringement case against former lawyer Francis Galbally, a court has heard.
Defamation
Defamation case against AFR by Bird’s Basement owner can proceed despite delay
The owner of Melbourne jazz venue Bird’s Basement has been given the greenlight to pursue defamation action, lodged after the one-year deadline, over an AFR report on a former employee's case.
Class Actions
High Court shoots down solicitors’ CFO in Blue Sky class action
The High Court has unanimously found the Federal Court has no power to allow solicitors to take a cut of a settlement or judgment in a shareholder class action against Blue Sky, saying it would be contrary to rules against contingency fees in NSW.
Food and Beverage
Goodman Fielder secures orders for $10.5M from employee
Food giant Goodman Fielder has secured a $10.5 million judgment in a case against a former employee.
Construction
Cornwalls didn’t disclose counsel rates to client in dispute with builder, suit claims
A former Cornwalls client has brought proceedings over a $486,000 legal bill, claiming the law firm failed to provide updated costs estimates and did not disclose counsel rates while acting in a tribunal matter against a builder.
Construction
Court quashes $1M statutory demand in row over Rio Tinto contract
A construction company working on accommodation for Rio Tinto FIFO workers has won its bid to set aside a $1 million creditor’s demand by a subcontractor, with a judge finding the demand was an abuse of process.
