 |
|
Mesothelioma: A Killer
Lurks in the Lungs |
|
 |
Mesothelioma & Asbestos News Page
Home Page
Hardie lawyers under fire
October 07, 2004
NEW South Wales Attorney-General Bob Debus expects legal advice tomorrow on whether his office can start contempt of court proceedings against James Hardie Industries and their legal advisers.
The Government is seeking advice following the six-month Jackson inquiry into an underfunding of James Hardie's asbestos liabilities.
Commissioner David Jackson found that lawyers from Allens Arthur Robinson, acting for James Hardie, had failed to disclose important information to the NSW Supreme Court in 2001, when the company applied to move its headquarters to the Netherlands.
The lawyers also promised the court that James Hardie would leave $1.9 billion in partly-paid shares to be drawn on as a possible life-line for asbestos compensation in Australia, but those shares were later cancelled without the court being informed.
Mr Jackson found the lawyers were in breach of their duty of disclosure but that it was not deliberate.
However, Mr Debus said the Government was not bound by the commission's findings that there was no deliberate failure to disclose the information.
"In order to establish whether a contempt or any other illegal action had taken place, the Government has instructed senior counsel to consider all the evidence provided to the commission," Mr Debus said in a statement.
The Government was also seeking advice on whether James Hardie's legal advisers could be investigated by the Legal Services Commissioner for professional misconduct, he said.
"Our advice tomorrow will only be the first stage and we will have to examine all the evidence before we can ensure that proceedings can be pursued on sound grounds," Mr Debus said.
"The Government wants to assure all those who have suffered asbestosis or related lung diseases, and their family and friends, that we are exploring every avenue to justice."
Back to Original Article on Mesothelioma
Halliburton's problematic Cheney connection Hoping to escape the election spotlight, the vice president's old firm may shed its KBR division, the one doing billions of dollars of work in Iraq.
The Law Firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. Announces Class Action Lawsuit Against Zix Corporation Thursday October 7, 10:30 am ET DALLAS, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. announces that it has filed a class action lawsuit
Union moves for greater school asbestos awareness Thursday, 7 October 2004 The Australian Education Union says parents and teachers need to be aware of the extent of asbestos in school buildings.
N.D. looks at asbestos case By Janell Cole, The Forum Published Thursday, October 07, 2004 BISMARCK -- Workers at the state Veterans Home in Lisbon were exposed to asbestos when their supervisor directed them to tear out a power house ceiling without protective gear, a state Health Department engineer said Wednesday.
Asbestos judge tosses out 3 lawsuits By Paul Hampel Of the Post-Dispatch Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel J. Stack dismissed on Wednesday three out-of-state asbestos cases in his first rulings as chief asbestos judge, criticizing such lawsuits as a "cash cow" for the county.
Less than month ago small colour bond fences went up at the Tenterfield Childcare Centre to replace an old paling fence that stood between the childcare centre and the soon-to-be demolished council asbestos fence.
Plum School District officials said they have received "a handful" of complaints that youngsters at Pivik Elementary School have had some health problems during the construction of a new roof.
NEW South Wales Attorney-General Bob Debus expects legal advice tomorrow on whether his office can start contempt of court proceedings against James Hardie Industries and their legal advisers.
Fires, smashed glass make Hotel Shediac a 'nightmare' WebPosted Oct 7 2004 08:59 AM ADT SHEDIAC — Vandals have taken over the historic Shediac Hotel, setting fires and ransacking the interior, prompting fire officials to demand the 150-year-old building be torn down.
|
