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Remarks from bench show Full Court judges lean in favour of CFOs
Two judges on the Full Court bench hearing arguments over power to make common fund orders when approving class action settlements appeared to tip their hand on Monday, chipping away at a High Court judgment that has sowed deep division.
Government backs union suit against McDonald’s over class action
The Albanese government will urge the court to shut down a Shine Lawyers-led class action against McDonald's for allegedly denying workers rest breaks and allow a similar $250 million case by the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association to proceed instead.
United Petroleum franchisees can’t stay lawsuits in light of class action
A judge has declined a bid by former United Petroleum franchisees to stay two Federal Court proceedings in light of a class action against the petrol giant over the introduction of loss-making Pie Face stores, finding the suits have little in common.
Breakdown in Monique Ryan’s relationship with staffer ‘pretty stark’, judge says
A judge has questioned a bid by Independent Monique Ryan’s chief of staff Sally Rugg to keep her job until her lawsuit against the MP is resolved, as the court released documents detailing the breakdown in the working relationship between the women.
Facing journalist’s discrimination suit, Ten says sexist culture not unlawful
Network Ten has fired back at journalist Tegan George’s reworked sex discrimination case, claiming that its alleged failure to prevent a “sexually hostile, demeaning and oppressive” culture was not unlawful under the Fair Work Act.
Monique Ryan’s chief of staff to argue Fair Work breaches ‘knowing and systematic’
Extended settlement talks in a Fair Work suit brought by the chief of staff to Independent MP Monique Ryan have failed, and lawyers for Sally Rugg will seek to add claims of serious contraventions to what they say is a test case for determining 'reasonable' overtime.
ASIC files first-ever action over whistleblower breaches against TerraCom
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has brought its first-ever case alleging breach of whistleblower protections against coal producer TerraCom, claiming it made misleading statements to the market that damaged a whistleblower’s reputation.
Question of power to make settlement CFOs sent back to Full Court
The divisive issue of whether judges are empowered to make a common fund order to distribute the costs of a funding commission at the settlement stage of a class action is headed back to the Full Federal Court next week.
De Costi Seafoods shows ‘no contrition’ in underpayments case, judge says
Seafood processing company De Costi Seafoods has been hit with a $60,000 penalty for failing to pay workers overtime for shifts starting before 6am, with a judge finding the company failed to show any contrition. 
Gov’t mulls ‘equal access’ cost models for sex discrimination claims
The Albanese government has started a public consultation after ditching provisions from sex harassment legislation which would have forced parties to bear their own costs in discrimination litigation, noting that lawyers favour an 'equal access' costs model.