Litigation

A judge has found that Heran Group unit York Property can't call on $6.4 million in bank guarantees after finding builder Tomkins has a strong prima facie case that a $17.5 million payment certificate issued under contract to build a 119-Gold Coast residential tower was not authorised.

A court has found that the relationship between the owner and the developer behind a residential subdivision project in Onkaparinga Heights has deteriorated to such a degree that orders requiring them not to abandon the partnership would be of no help. 

A judge has allowed a 50 per cent fee uplift for counsel in an epic fight over lucrative tenements in the Pilbara region, but says the hourly fees of solicitors from the likes of Allens, Clayton Utz and Corrs were already well above market rate.

NSW's ICAC will hold a public inquiry this month to probe allegations that the state branch of the Liberal Party accepted political donations from fugitive property developer Jean Nassif.

Baggage handling company Alstef Australia has had a partial win in its quest to stop the Brisbane Airport Corporation from calling on $13.4 million in bank guarantees.

Domain has sued News Corp-owned rival REA Group over alleged misleading claims that it attracts the buyer for nine in 10 sold homes listed on the platform.

A judge has pushed off an eight-week trial in a class action on behalf of Sydney homeowners who allege their homes are sinking into the ground, after missed filing deadlines. 

A traditional owner has launched legal action against the Victorian government, challenging the approval of a floodplain engineering project at Nyah on the Murray River.

Linx Constructions has been ordered to pay contractor Jonishan’s nearly $1 million payment claim, with a judge refusing to stay the determination in light of a defects claim seeking "substantial damages".

In a High Court feud between Sorrento neighbors, the prominent Valmorbida family has argued an appeal by Stellar co-founder Simon Pitard and wife Sky would have to overturn longstanding doctrine on rights of long use in order to prevail.