Companies

An appellate victory by insurers in a test case over business interruption coverage for losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic does not spell the end to class actions brought on behalf of businesses whose claims were denied, according to a lawyer for the class actions.

An appeals court challenge by a group of small businesses seeking coverage under business interruption insurance policies for losses flowing from COVID-19 restrictions has largely failed.

Insurance Australia Group has denied it owes Greensill Bank $48.5 million under a trade credit policy issued by its agent BCC, saying the underwriter was not authorised to enter into the policy.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia wants more details about the Finance Sector Union's allegations that it failed to provide thousands of employees with paid rest breaks for at least six years. 

Lawyers leading a class action against the Commonwealth Bank over its alleged money laundering compliance failures are getting their ducks in a row in the event the Full Court rules the court has the power to shut out unregistered group members from a class action.

Seven Network has settled a defamation lawsuit brought by a Nyamal man who the broadcaster wrongly identified as the suspect in the abduction of four-year-old Cleo Smith in Western Australia.

Evidence of anxiety felt by 7-Eleven franchisees leading class actions against the convenience store giant was relevant to whether the funder could earn a $25 million commission from the proceeds of a settlement, a court has heard.

Decorated Afghanistan war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith has accused his ex-wife of lying to journalists, lawyers and the court in order to “seek revenge” for his alleged infidelity.

Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith told his wife she would lose access to their children if she did not lie to his lawyers and the media about his extramarital affair, a court has heard.

The CDPP's decision to drop all criminal cartel charges against two banks and four individuals in a "test case" over a $2.5 billion ANZ share placement shows the ACCC "lacks expertise and objectivity" on the financial markets and should leave them to ASIC to regulate, according to one of the former accused.