The state of Victoria has asked a court to strike out a class action alleging lapses in its hotel quarantine program caused businesses to suffer losses when stage three and four COVID-19 restrictions were put in place between July and August 2020.
Hall & Wilcox has appointed a new partner to join its real estate practice in Brisbane, the second partner appointment in as many months at the firm’s Queen Street offices.
Big Six firm Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed a PricewaterhouseCoopers veteran as its first director of global workforce strategy and implementation.
Ernst & Young has bolstered its disputes resolution and forensic accounting practice, acquiring Sydney-based firm Axiom Forensics.
Bayer has dropped its appeal to a ruling that quashed an extension for its patent covering an oral contraceptive, after the Full Court dealt drug makers a blow in two separate cases on how patent term extensions should be calculated.
International law firm HFW has bolstered the ranks of its disputes practice in Australia, recruiting a leading commercial litigation and international arbitration partner from Corrs Chambers Westgarth.
A full bench of the Fair Work Commission has reversed a decision that would have allowed employees who were lawfully demoted to challenge their demotions as unfair dismissals, in a significant finding that means employers will not be exposed to claims if they properly exercise their rights, writes McCullough Robertson’s Amber Sharp, Kerry O’Brien and Nathan Roberts.
A judge has given the liquidators of Big Un the go-ahead to serve the director of the collapsed video company through his LinkedIn account after several unsuccessful attempts to contact him about proceedings accusing him and others of violating their directors’ duties.
Former One Nation senator Brian Burston has resolved court proceedings brought by a former staffer Wendy Leach accusing him of sexual harassment and discrimination.
Hall & Wilcox has bolstered its insurance practice with the appointment of new partner Priya Paquet, who will be based at the firm’s Brisbane office.