Orica faces $126m tax bill

THE explosives and fertiliser group, Orica, may be forced to pay another $126 million to the Tax Office after effectively losing a convoluted court dispute over a huge capital gains tax bill arising from the sale of its pharmaceuticals business in 1998.

Orica faces $126m bill in tax sting

THE explosives and fertiliser group Orica may be forced to pay another $126 million to the Tax Office after in effect losing a convoluted court dispute over a huge capital gains tax bill arising from the sale of its pharmaceuticals business in 1998.

Bushland owners to fight bid for overpass

THE owners of heritage-listed bushland, compulsorily acquired by the State Government for the Frankston bypass, will fight the relevant transport authority's request to build an overpass on what was once their land.

Judge adds to criticism of trade practices amendments

CHANGES to competition law proposed after the country's largest miners were forced by the Government to share rail lines with their competitors do more harm than good, the head of the Australian Competition Tribunal warned.

Justice warns on laws change

CHANGES in competition law proposed after the Federal Government forced the country's largest miners to share rail lines with their competitors could end up doing more harm than good, the head of the Australian Competition Tribunal has warned.

Abuse remarks doubtful: lawyer

A PSYCHOLOGIST at the Children's Court Clinic thought it was unlikely that a father had sexually abused his young daughter, the man's lawyer says €” despite fears of abuse raised by child protection staff and others who had worked with the girl.

Federal Court to rule on Seven Network's appeal over collusion case

A FULL bench of the Federal Court will hand down its decision next week in the Seven Network's appeal over its comprehensive loss in the $200 million C7 trade practices suit.

Solicitor's eminent supporters must remain a mystery

THE eminent lawyers and prominent members of the insurance industry who gave "particularly impressive" character evidence to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal about former HIH Insurance director Bob Stitt, QC, have won the right to keep their identities private.

Tribunal suppresses names of HIH referees

The eminent lawyers and prominent members of the insurance industry who gave "particularly impressive" character evidence to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal about the former HIH Insurance director Bob Stitt, QC, have won the right to keep their identities private.

Seeking permission to kill

ONE of five Melbourne men charged with planning a suicide terrorist attack at a Sydney army base asked an Islamic sheikh how long it would be needed to "take out" up to 10 people, according to the Australian Federal Police.

Brown and Blair face grilling over Iraq war

THE British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and his predecessor, Tony Blair, will be called to give evidence on their roles in the lead-up to the Iraq war after the chairman of the newly formed inquiry forced the Labour Government to open it to the public.

Don't Jump The Gun On Charges, Says Expert

THOSE tainted by the Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry findings had not been found guilty of any crime, local government expert Gerry Holmes reminded anyone following the scandal yesterday.

Madden Defends Ban On Quizzing Witnesses

PLANNING Minister Justin Madden has defended a ban on questioning expert witnesses at an inquiry into dredging Port Phillip Bay, saying the public had already had enough of a say in the process.

Expert Witnesses Have Their Many Days In Court In C7 Case

AS THE C7 case enters its fourth week of expert witnesses, Justice Ronald Sackville has criticised the "massive duplication" in economic and accounting material, warning that his task and the "almost inevitable" appeals will be unmanageable unless the issues are narrowed.

Ban Looms For Expert Witnesses Who Clog Up Courts

Litigants could be banned from hiring their own experts under NSW proposals to curb the use of paid witnesses in court cases.

Inquiry Into Use Of Expert Witnesses

The State Government has ordered an inquiry into unethical expert witnesses giving evidence in court cases and into the practice of no-win, no-fee charging.