Directed Electronics has slammed a decision by one of its former managers to switch lawyers in the middle of a trial over alleged corporate theft, saying the move had a “tactical flavour”.
An appeals court has overturned a ruling ordering class closure in seven representative proceedings against car makers over defective Takata airbags, finding courts do not have the power to make class closure orders.
After almost five years of litigation, a Federal Court judge said he will approve a $127.1 million settlement of five class actions against Volkswagen over the diesel emissions scandal, but appeared unwilling to sign off on a 25 per cent uplift in fees sought by one of the plaintiffs firms.
The judge overseeing the trial in a trade secrets case brought by Australian auto electronics developer Directed Electronics OE against its rivals is considering how the cross-examination of witnesses will proceed given current restrictions imposed on gatherings due to the coronavirus, including in the event of a possible lockdown.
The lead applicants in seven class actions against auto manufacturers over explosive Takata airbags have criticised the courts for losing their way in ensuring justice is done, in a landmark challenge to class closure orders made in the cases.
A former manager of Australian electronics automotive developer Directed Electronics OE has failed to block access to certain documents in a corporate theft case, despite the Federal Court finding they gave rise to a “real and appreciable risk” of civil or criminal prosecution against him.
Volkswagen has appealed a record $125 million penalty handed down over its emissions cheating scandal by a judge who criticised a $75 million settlement agreement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as “manifestly inadequate”.
Japanese car maker Mazda has replied to an ACCC action alleging it violated the Australian Consumer Law by failing to provide consumers with refunds or no-cost replacements for their allegedly faulty vehicles, saying it was not required to replace dented and scratched cars.
The judge overseeing a class action against car maker Ford over its allegedly defective PowerShift transmission has shot down the applicant’s request for additional discovery, saying that after multiple delays in the case “the well has run dry”.
Construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc has lost a challenge to the registration of two ‘Hellcat’ trade marks by FCA Group, producer of well-known auto brands Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Alfa Romeo.