The power to make common fund orders in class actions is a question before the High Court a second time, but the justices aren’t likely to quell the conflict simmering in the courts below, at least until they have a concrete order before them.
The state of Victoria has opted out of two class actions over allegedly combustible cladding, after agreeing to join as a group member last year.
Perhaps the only thing that barrister William Edwards could show more enthusiasm for than the law — and class actions — is his beloved Richmond Tigers, and just like his favourite football team Edwards is on a winning streak.
A Federal Court judge has made his feelings known about a ruling by the NSW Supreme Court last year that found judges have no power to shut unregistered group members out of a class action, but said he was “just a single judge” and was bound by the decision.
A judge has ordered the federal government to file an amended defence in one of two class actions over its use of allegedly toxic firefighting foam on military bases, after being accused of lodging a deficient pleading.
Lawyerly is pleased to announce the winners of its inaugural Litigation Rising Stars competition, which honours 30 lawyers under the age of 40 for their work in high-stakes litigation.
Grant Thornton has won approval to a bring a cross-claim against Forge Group, just three months ahead of trial in the collapsed engineering company’s case against the accounting firm and ten former directors for their alleged negligence in relation to its “uneconomic” purchase of CTEC in 2012.
Crown Resorts will fight to strike out allegations in a class action that the casino operator was liable for “oppressive conduct” under the Corporations Act, saying there was no legal basis for making the claims and no articulation by the class as to how the company engaged in the conduct.
The cash-strapped litigation funder that initially agreed to bankroll a class action against Westpac over life insurance premiums will not earn a cent in commission under a proposed $30 million settlement.
Two insurers have appealed a ruling that could provide a further $11.25 million to group members in a class action against sandalwood producer Quintis, further delaying finalisation of a settlement reached in the group proceeding over a year ago.