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Litigation

I’m afraid AI can’t do that: Law firms say smart tech uses limited

While the use of artificial intelligence is becoming more commonplace in law firms, it has not yet transformed the practice of law, with lawyers reporting that concerns about privacy, reliability, and liability mean the application of AI remains limited.

Lawyer’s defamation case fails serious harm test, judge finds

A judge has dismissed a Sydney lawyer’s defamation case over an AI-generated story that accused her of trying to defraud $16,000 from David Jones, saying she had admitted to deceitful acts and had not suffered serious harm. 

Holden dealers reject GM’s bleak alternate reality in class action

Holden dealers in a class action over GM's decision to retire the brand in March 2020 have taken issue with the car maker's counterfactual in defence, which argues the plant supplying Holden's best-selling models would have closed anyway.

Nine, News Corp defeat defamation suits over Central Coast crime coverage

A judge has thrown out defamation lawsuits by the partner of a man accused of being a Central Coast gang member in coverage by Nine and the Daily Telegraph, finding the stories never identified her. 

CBA deserves max penalty for $16.4M in underpayments, court told

CBA should pay a penalty of $12.8 million -- close to the maximum penalty the court can impose on the bank -- for underpaying its staff to the tune of $16.4 million, a judge has heard.

Mosaic Brands boss told GM paying $275K bonus would land him in jail, suit says

A former general manager at Noni B owner Mosaic Brands claims she was sacked after she pressed the fashion retailer to pay out a $275,000 retention bonus, alleging she was told things could "get messy" if she sought legal advice.

High Court to rule on reach of workplace law in high-stakes Qantas case

The High Court will deliver judgment Wednesday in an appeal by Qantas over its decision to sack its ground crew at the height of COVID-19, a ruling that could determine the scope of adverse action protections under the Fair Work Act.

ANZ, Suncorp gear up for fight with ACCC over $4.9B merger

A battle with the competition regulator over the proposed ANZ, Suncorp tie-up has begun, with the first clash involving a group of rival lenders that want their submissions to the ACCC kept under lock and key.

Deals

NAB’s cultural review report in ‘boys’ club’ suit protected by legal privilege, says judge

Save (0) Please login to bookmark Close Username or Email Address Password Remember Me Save (0) Please login to bookmark Close Username or Email Address Password Remember Me NAB can shield a report commissioned by its lawyers at Herbert Smith Freehills into the bank’s workplace culture from a former head of repo trading who alleges…

Tenant of $15,000/week Sydney penthouse loses contempt claim against landlady

A judge has thrown out a contempt motion brought by the owner of the Illawarra Hawks against the landlady of his $15,000 per week apartment, finding the woman did not commit criminal contempt by failing to remove personal items, including porcelain dolls, which were stored at the premises.

Mawhinney must pay $1.3M to continue suit against McGrathNicol receivers

Mayfair 101 founder James Mawhinney must pay $1.3 million in security within six weeks or a case brought on behalf of his property management group Mainland against a lender and two McGrathNichol receivers will be thrown out. 

COVID-19 insurance class action members can ‘have their cake and eat it too’: judge

A judge considering bids to de-class COVID-19 business interruption class actions has said group members can sign up for the representative proceedings but later decide to make claims directly with their insurers.

NAB sues You Need A Budget app, says brand will confuse Aussies

National Australia Bank is suing US company You Need A Budget, alleging the YNAB app, which helps users manage their finances, steps on its well-known trade mark and will confuse Australians.

Sydney MP claims aggravation from Mark Latham’s ‘disgraceful’ defamation defence

Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, who is suing politician Mark Latham over a homophobic social media post, claims the One Nation NSW leader's defence has aggravated his damages by relying on a "disgraceful" gay stereotype.

Judge refuses to bar children, non-Indigenous people from PFAS settlement

A judge has rejected a bid by in-fighting group members to bar children and non-Aboriginal residents in the Wreck Bay community from receiving a cut of an approved $22 million settlement over alleged PFAS contamination.

Ben Roberts-Smith funder Seven says ruling on emails has ‘far reaching implications’

Former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith and Seven Network, which funded his defamation case, have asked for the Full Federal Court to weigh in on appeals against a decision requiring the production of thousands of emails passing between them, which the broadcaster said has implications for all funded proceedings.

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