Subject: DEFAMATION - Catchwords: Defamatory imputation – defence of justification – common law and statutory qualified privilege - triviality

INDUSTRIAL LAW – Application in a case for leave to join six additional parties as respondents to proceedings under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – whether necessary – other factors relevant to exercise of discretion – application in a case dismissed – time extended for applicant to file amended statement of claim.

INDUSTRIAL LAW – Fair Work – interlocutory application for summary dismissal – summary judgment – interlocutory application to strike out statement of claim – interlocutory application for discovery – procedural orders – no order as to costs.

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – COSTS – two distinct claims made in proceeding – plaintiff successful on claim which took most of time, unsuccessful on the other – whether costs should be apportioned – Hancock v Rinehart (Costs) Callus v KB Investments (No 2) [2020] VCC 455 (1 May 2020)