Growing up in rural Australia as the son of a Vietnam veteran, Colin Biggers & Paisley partner Michael Russell’s childhood instilled in him a resilience and a can-do attitude which he credits with helping him tackle the most difficult class action defenses.
Two shareholder class actions against sandalwood producer Quintis that reached an in principle settlement over a year ago are moving forward following a protracted dispute over insurance, with the lead applicants getting approval to file proposed amended pleadings.
A judge has rejected a request that he approve a settlement with the lead applicants in a class action by investors in failed music streaming platform Guvera that would dispense with the class action without notice being sent to group members.
Law firms are ordering staff in their Sydney offices to work from home if possible and avoid face-to-face meetings as the state’s new rules requiring masks at all indoor workplaces takes effect.
The “hustle and bustle” of defending companies in complex litigation does not faze Colin Biggers & Paisley’s Adrian Konstantinidis, so when the COVID-19 pandemic struck on the eve of one of the most complicated series of cases in Australia, he and his firm were ready.
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.
A Worrells liquidator facing ASIC proceedings seeking to have his registration cancelled has won costs from the regulator after a judge found he was entitled to a “coherent pleading” and ordered the regulator to file a statement of claim.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has banned the former managing director of collapsed financial services provider Theta Asset Management from providing financial services for four years, after a court hit the company with a $2 million penalty for issuing defective product disclosure statements for a property investment scheme targeting retirees.
A judge has granted OTC trader EuropeFX more time to file its defence to an 80-page statement of claim and over 2,000 pages of particulars filed by ASIC in its case accusing the company of knowingly exposing its Chinese customers to criminal charges.
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.