Australia’s fourth cartel class action settles today for $38 million

6 June 2014

Maurice Blackburn's long-running air-cargo cartel class action has concluded, with a $38 million settlement being officially approved by the Federal Court today.

It is only the fourth cartel class action ever to be run in Australia. All of the cartel actions run to date have been run - successfully - by class actions experts from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.

The price fixing class action began in 2007 and was taken up on behalf of purchasers of international airfreight services, including importers and exporters of products to and from Australia.

The class action is in respect of an alleged cartel to fix the price of international airfreight services, specifically relating to fuel and security surcharges imposed by the airlines.

Class Actions Principal at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, Brooke Dellavedova, says the case is a stark example of the important role well-run class actions play in the provision of access to justice and in ensuring better standards of corporate behaviour.

"This case was hard fought and resource intensive. Without the class actions mechanism, there's no way the smaller businesses we acted for could have pursued these claims," Ms Dellavedova said.

"The case was funded by Bentham IMF Limited. Without litigation funding, it is doubtful whether this case could have proceeded.

"We are delighted to reach this outcome for the businesses we've been representing, and we know they're also pleased with the result."

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