Judges

Actor Geoffrey Rush has come up short in his bid for an injunction blocking The Daily Telegraph from repeating allegations in the successful defamation case he brought against the publisher, with a judge citing the public interest in free speech and the lack of foundation for the actor's concerns.

Concerns about duplicative costs in multiple class actions are better addressed by case management decisions aimed at cutting excessive expense, not by limiting the amount lawyers representing group members can spend, the Full Federal Court has said in dismissing an appeal by baby food maker Bellamy's.

Former Plutus Payroll general manager Joshua Kitson has been sentenced to at least three years in jail for his role in a conspiracy to defraud $105 million from the Australian Taxation Office.

Biotech company Cryosite has agreed to a $1 million settlement for losses resulting from legal advice received in relation to a merger agreement that left the company facing $1.05 million in penalties for engaging in cartel conduct.

WorleyParsons may seek to shut down a shareholder class action against it due to an "insuperable obstacle" caused by last minute pleading amendments, the engineering firm told a court at the outset of a 21-day hearing.

CFMEU state boss John Setka has lost his court challenge to a vote to expel him from the Australian Labor Party, with the Victorian Supreme Court ruling it did not have the jurisdiction to rule on the case.

Two units of US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer have filed a lawsuit seeking damages from Juno Pharmaceuticals for allegedly infringing the patent for post-operative pain drug Dynastat.

The Queensland Supreme Court judge has refused to transfer proceedings by villa owners against Clive Palmer's abandoned Sunshine Coast resort to the Federal Court, but has also rejected a separate bid by Palmer to shut down the case, which has been dormant for six years.

3A Composites has slammed the pleadings in a class action against it over allegedly combustible cladding, questioning whether the stated common issues are actually common to all group members.

The lead applicant in a class action over the Carwoola bushfire has been given the greenlight to go after CGU Insurance for loss and damage caused by the 2017 fire, which was allegedly sparked by the now insolvent Advanced Plumbing and Drains.