Litigation

Alliance Resources (AGS) have settled its long-running litigation with joint venture partner US Group Healthgate but kept the details of the settlement in confidential. Finally, the Four Mile Project for a uranium mine will be starting to develop after its delay.

Construction giant Leighton Holdings (ASX:LEI) faces class action from its shareholders today regarding the company's downgrades and write-downs on major projects.

Leighton said in February it expected to report a profit of almost $500 million, which was then downgraded to a loss as shares dropped about 14 percent. The company blamed the downgrade on cost blowouts, delays at Victoria's Wonthaggi desalination plant and problems with Brisbane's Airport Link.

US landowners have lodged class actions against BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP) after claiming that extraction techniques in its shale gas business are causing environmental damage.

The Arkansas landowners accuse BHP's petroleum business and other gas producers of poisoning water sources, polluting the air and soil and causing earthquakes. The shale gas production facility in Fayetteville was worth US$4.75 billion.

Rare earth miner Lynas Corporation (ASX:LYC) faces legal action from shareholders over the proposed sale of polymetallic resource to Forge Resources. It has raised concerns about conflict of interest. Nicholas Curtis, Lynas executive chairman and 15 percent shareholder of Forge, stands to settle 24 million in Forge shares worth $30 million if the deal is successful.

RiverCity Motorways' (ASX:RCY) traffic modelling forecaster AECOM Australia (formerly Maunsell) is facing a $700 million IMF-funded investor class action over alleged deceptive and misleading forecasts.

Anglo-Australian mining company Rio Tinto, (ASX:RIO) has been accused of exploring without permission from the Indian local government, in line with its plans to open one of the world's biggest diamond mines in that country, according to Fairfax Media.

National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) is being sued by a group of shareholders for about $450 million over toxic investments linked to the subprime crisis. The class action suit involves 250 NAB investors who accuse the bank of failing to keep the sharemarket fully informed about a $1.2 billion investment in CDOs (Collateralised Debt Obligations).

Founder of collapsed childcare group ABC Learning Centres has filed a lawsuit to ASX listed stockbroker, Austock Group (ASX:ACK).

Founder and director of collapsed childcare group ABC Learning Centres is seeking to sue ASX listed stockbroker, Austock Group (ASX:ACK). The legal redress being sought by Mr Groves is over a share order which was not executed. Austock received a letter of demand from the lawyers acting for Mr Groves.