The Federal Court’s recently retired top judge has landed on his feet with his appointment by the court as referee to determine which of a group of competing firms should dole out a $300 million settlement that resolved the J&J pelvic mesh class actions.
The legal industry has praised the historic appointment of Debra Mortimer as the first female Chief Justice of the Federal Court, noting her modern approach to managing cases and compassionate nature.
Justice Debra Mortimer will become the first female Chief Justice of the Federal Court, with the attorney-general praising the judge for her widely recognised legal acumen.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has lost its challenge to a decision that tossed its case alleging NSW Ports stymied competition when it signed a 50-year agreement with the state to privatise two ports.
Editors and journalists from Australia’s largest news organisations have protested recent changes to the Federal Court Rules that restrict the public’s access to documents filed with the court, calling it a “full-frontal assault” on open justice.
The founder of investment group Mayfair 101 must foot half his costs of a successful appeal of a 20-year ban on fund raising because of the many “spurious” grounds of appeal he pressed.
Insurer Bond & Credit Company is seeking to join Greensill Group to three lawsuits over the financing firm’s $1.7 billion collapse in March 2020, while Greensill has foreshadowed its own cross-claims against Insurance Australia Group.
Insurers will file de-classing applications in four class actions on behalf of small businesses seeking coverage under business interruption policies for losses flowing from COVID-19 restrictions after their test cases largely failed.
The former CEO of Blue Star Helium has asked the High Court to throw out a $40,000 penalty and four-year ban imposed on him after the company failed to disclose to shareholders the identity of the buyer behind a botched sale of Texas oil assets.
The Full Federal Court has thrown out a decision that found foreign passengers could join a class action against cruise operator Carnival PLC over the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak aboard the Ruby Princess, finding a class action waiver was not unfair.