The Chief Justice of the Federal Court says a system is needed to ensure parties don’t interrupt one another during virtual hearings, and noted the increase in online hearings brought on by the coronavirus may also free judges up to hear cases outside their registries.
A judge has decided not to hold a virtual trial in a long-running dispute between Guy Sebastian and his now self-represented former manager Titus Day over allegedly unpaid entitlements, due to difficulties in judging witness credibility and because Day might have a challenging time litigating online.
An appeals court has found that parties forced to conduct hearings via telephone or video conference in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic are not disadvantaged by the new arrangements, refusing to delay the appeal of a $2.5 billion contractual dispute concerning the Ichthys gas project in the Northern Territory until the parties can appear in person before the court.
While these unprecedented and challenging times are placing profound pressure on the operations and financial position of businesses, it’s important to remember that companies are not exempt from complying with the competition and consumer laws. King & Wood Mallesons’ Peta Stevenson, Caroline Coop, Lisa Huett and Simon Cook give companies a guide to navigating unexpected challenges when dealing with competitors, consumers and other parties during the COVID-19 health crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic has opened the door to a host of potential class actions involving claims of government negligence, employment law, product liability and consumer law, one legal expert has said.
The association for practicing barristers in NSW has called for a financial support package for its members as courts restrict in-person hearings to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will scale back its use of certain investigatory tools, such as compulsory examinations, amid the strain on Australian businesses from the spread of COVID-19.
As the number of cases of coronavirus continues to rise and more people work from home, lawyers are predicting a jump in workers’ compensation claims, with 57 claims or notifications already lodged in NSW.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will allow Regional Express to coordinate with Qantas and Virgin on certain regional routines during the coronavirus pandemic.
With new lockdown measures being rolled out on a daily basis to combat COVID-19, vast numbers of Australians have found themselves working from home, many for the first time. As employers and staff scramble to set up makeshift home offices and navigate the world of video conferencing, lawyers are reminding their clients not to forget the legal risks that come with remote working.