Competition & Consumer Protection
ASIC wants $85M in fines against Harvey Norman, Latitude, says GC apology ‘performative’
ASIC on Thursday pushed for penalties totalling $85 million against Harvey Norman and Latitude Finance, after an appeals court found the retailer’s ads touting interest-free financing were misleading.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Harvey Norman tells court $24M should be max penalty for ‘interest-free’ ads
Harvey Norman says it should not be fined more than $24 million for running misleading ads touting interest-free financing, telling a court it should not be punished for "unattractive" remarks its founder made in the media about the legal system.
M&A
Mayne, Cosette row to be determined on the merits after panel resets merger clock
The Takeovers Panel has agreed to hear Mayne Pharma's latest dispute with Cosette over the US drug maker's attempts to walk away from their $672 million merger agreement and extended the timeline for completing the deal.
Panetta Lawyers
Piper Alderman’s default win quashed in fee row with Care A2 director
Piper Alderman has been pulled back into a costs dispute after a judge found the director of dairy company Care A2 had an arguable defence and set aside a default judgment for the law firm.
Employment
Westpac pays back $50M to 47,000 underpaid staff
Westpac has paid back $50 million plus interest and super to 47,000 current and former staff who were underpaid over an 11-year period.
Defamation
Sydney developer sues Fairfax for defamation over arson story
The owner of Sydney developer Coronation Property has sued Fairfax for defamation over a Sydney Morning Herald story that allegedly linked him to arson attacks on two childcare centres and the home of YouTuber Jordan Shanks.
Competition & Consumer Protection
Lander & Rogers appoints new competition partner from HSFK
Lander & Rogers has recruited a competition law expert from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer for its corporate team ahead of the new merger review regime.
Financial Services
CBUS trustee agrees to pay $23.5M in ASIC death benefits case
The trustee for super fund Cbus has agreed to pay a $23.5 penalty after admitting liability in the corporate regulator's case over excessive delays in processing $20 million in death and disability claims.
Class Actions
Court approves $8.7M settlement in Exactech class action
A judge has approved a "modest" $8.7 million settlement in a class action against medical device maker Exactech over allegedly defective joint replacements, saying the settlement was fair and reasonable given the limited assets of the company, whose parent has filed for bankruptcy in the US.
Employment
Nielsen exec claims unfair dismissal after husband’s axing, can’t get job back
A former managing director of ratings agency Nielsen, who alleges she was unfairly dismissed after her husband was fired from the company, has lost her bid to be temporarily reinstated.
