In a long-running battle between Norton Rose Fulbright and a former partner, a court in Australia has reversed a previous decision, ruling that the global firm won’t have to pay a damages award of $114,000.

The full Federal Court in Australia ruled in the latest twist in a five-year legal battle between the global law firm and former Australian partner Thomas Martin that Norton Rose is not only off the hook for damages but that Martin must pay the firm for costs, which are likely to be substantial. Norton Rose had retained King & Wood Mallesons and top barrister Bret Walker QC in the case.