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Forum Finance placed in liquidation, with ‘peripatetic’ director still abroad
The Federal Court has ordered the winding up of Forum Finance, which has been accused by Westpac and French investment bank Societe Generale of a $263 million fraud, as details of the company's jetsetting director's planned return to Australia from Europe remain murky.
Forum Finance boss headed back to Australia to face $263M fraud claims, court hears
The director of Forum Finance, which has been accused by Westpac and Societe Generale of a $263 million fraud, is in Europe and will return to Australia over the weekend, although he has refused to tell his lawyer his exact location, a court has heard.
HWL Ebsworth avoids hit from $263M Forum Finance scandal
Law firm HWL Ebsworth says it has avoided any negative financial impact from its connection with Sydney financial firm Forum Finance, which has been accused by Westpac of a $263 million fraud.
Baker McKenzie dragged into Chinese lender’s case against PwC over failed Aussie launch
Chinese lender Aoyin wants to join Baker McKenzie to its claims against PwC over a failed bid to launch the first Chinese bank incorporated in Australia, after advice documents from the law firm were uncovered in a last-minute privilege fight.
ASIC gets $63M funding cut as registry shifts to ATO
The federal government has cut the budget for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission by $62.7 million in tandem with the regulator's corporate registry being shifted to the ATO, but a legal expert told Lawyerly the cut could also signal a movement away from the "why not litigate" approach adopted in the wake of the banking royal commission.
PwC wins access to Baker McKenzie docs from former client in spat over failed bank launch
PricewaterhouseCoopers has won access to communications between a Chinese lender and its lawyers at Baker McKenzie in a legal stoush over a failed bid to launch the first Chinese bank incorporated in Australia.
AUSTRAC, Westpac still locked in settlement negotiations, court hears
Westpac is still locked in mediation with AUSTRAC over allegations that it committed over 23 million breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws, with the bank's hopes of moving to a penalty hearing in the early part of the year fading.
ASIC to shift regulatory priorities amid pandemic
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission will continue its enforcement activities amid the spread of the coronavirus but will prioritise cracking down on behaviour that threatens "immediate consumer harm".
Westpac class action beauty parade is on after new suit filed
Westpac has been hit with another class action over alleged anti-money laundering breaches, teeing up a high-stakes beauty parade over which firm will lead the class action against the bank.