The New Zealand law commission has called on the government to implement a class action regime that would allow funders to seek the equivalent of a common fund order to “improve access to justice and efficiency in litigation”.
Cruise operator Scenic Tours is appealing a courtroom loss that could see it owing $25 million in damages in a class action by travelers who were promised a “once in a lifetime cruise along the grand waterways of Europe” but were instead forced to take the bus from city to city due to heavy rain and high water levels.
The solicitor found to have acted as a “postbox” to hide conflicts of interest in the class action over Banksia Securities’ collapse has been suspended from the roll of practitioners in Victoria for two years, after a judge found he was presently unfit to practice.
The law firm that lost the first ever application for a group costs order in class actions against ANZ and Westpac has indicated it will revive its bid, tweaking a retainer agreement with group members in hopes of winning the court’s approval this time.
A class action investigation is underway against Cosmos Clinics Australia after an investigative report by Fairfax uncovered what it said was a “litany of troubling practices” at its clinics around Australia.
A judge who will oversee an upcoming hearing for approval of a $20 million settlement in a class action against Optus contractor BSA has urged the parties to sever the funder’s commission and costs from the settlement to avoid delays in distribution to group members.
Apple and Google have been hit with class actions alleging they violated competition laws by charging customers inflated commission on certain apps and in-app purchases.
A judge has signed off on a $56.3 million settlement in a class action against wealth manager Colonial First State that will see Maurice Blackburn earn $14.5 million in costs, saying it was a good example of the class action regime in operation.
The federal government said Friday it would consider the implications of an appeals court’s finding that the managed investment scheme structure was unsuited to class actions, a ruling it said was a victory for ordinary Australians and a vindication for Labor.
A judge has granted a litigation funder for two franchisee class actions against 7-Eleven an interim payment to cover its costs ahead of a ruling on how much it can pocket from a $98 million settlement.