Tesla's Discovery Dilemma: Australian Court's Ultimatum

An Australian Federal Court judge has warned Tesla of potential repercussions for coopering inadequately in the discovery process of a lawsuit. The lawsuit accuses Tesla of misleading consumers about various product features. The judge emphasized the need for comprehensive document production by July 31 for the trial's progress.

In a striking courtroom development, Federal Court judge Tom Thawley has warned Tesla of dire consequences if it does not improve its cooperation in an Australian class action lawsuit's discovery process.

The case, spearheaded by Brisbane law firm JGA Saddler on behalf of 10,000 Tesla drivers, accuses the automaker of misleading consumers regarding phantom braking, battery range, and self-driving capabilities. Concerns arose when Tesla produced only 2,000 documents after months of discovery, far fewer than expected, leading to frustrations in trial preparations.

Tesla's legal team, led by Imtiaz Ahmed, defended the process, citing confidentiality concerns and ongoing reviews of 75,000 more documents. However, Thawley set a July 31 deadline for complete discovery, cautioning that failure to meet expectations could result in severe repercussions.