Class Actions Landscape Australia
Welcome to our regular series of insights into the rapidly evolving Australian class action landscape, brought to you by the nation's leading class action experts at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.
Australia’s class action regime continues to come under attack from a Federal Government seemingly intent on doing whatever it can get away with in order to diminish Australia’s effective class action regime, and in turn provide a free pass for corporate wrongdoing. Read more
Judge finds that units held in trust are considered securities and are indemnified by insurance coverage. Read more
Blue Sky books to be opened and interrogated
Court finds that shareholders are entitled to access documents to properly investigate liability. Read more
Judge finds that Montara was negligent and owed a duty of care to local seaweed farmers when suspending operations at an oil well. Read more
Court finds that there are recoverability issues due to the defendant being in liquidation for the entirety of the proceeding, and that class members ... Read more
HCA finds a first to file rule would be “unworkable” and lead to an “ugly rush” to the court door. Read more
Court finds that judge might not bring an impartial mind to the proceedings, decides that it is inappropriate for the same judge to hear both proceedi... Read more
Court approves settlement subject to a cap on total costs and commission, to ensure that class members aren’t worse off after disbursement. Read more
Class closure orders prior to settlement rejected
Justice White finds that the court does not have the power to make class closure orders prior to settlement or judgement. Read more
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Limited settlement approved on basis that registered members should receive back 100% of losses
Federal Court finds the respondent has limited financial means to pay the settlement, however the low amount still provides for registered class members to receive 100% of their losses. Read more
Federal Court of Australia finds that there is a claim against two insurers for rectification of ‘Side C’ insurance cover, but remains unconvinced tha... Read more
‘Add on’ insurance class action – Settlement approval – Power of court to make common fund order at settlement – Sources of power Read more
Federal Court decides that further investigative efforts in this case are a ‘case of throwing good money after bad’ and approves a lower than expected... Read more
Federal Court finds that on applications for security, the merits of a particular case should be treated as a neutral factor. In this particular case,... Read more
Judge finds no need for contradictor in AMP class action; orders joint conduct by both applicants’ firms
Judge decides that the class action against AMP life insurance products will be a joint conduct of a consolidated proceeding by both applicants’ firms... Read more
No harm in using previous pleadings – an early win for plaintiff in TWE shareholder class action
Federal Court of Australia finds that solicitors and counsel did not breach Hearne v Street obligation by using pleadings from earlier proceedings tha... Read more
Judiciary grapples with the disbursement of settlements between insured losses (paid to insurers) and uninsured losses (paid directly to class members... Read more
Judiciary grapples with the disbursement of settlements between insured losses (paid to insurers) and uninsured losses (paid directly to class members... Read more
Andrew Watson
National Head of Class Actions, Class actions, Melbourne"I'm an experienced litigator in class actions, particularly for shareholders who have been victims of corporate misconduct."
Kimi Nishimura
Principal Lawyer, Class actions, Melbourne"I'm committed to fighting for the rights of victims of corporate misconduct as well as pursuing compensation on behalf of my clients."
Ben Slade
State Managing Principal, Office Leader, Class actions, Sydney"I am driven to give a voice to those who would otherwise have to suffer because those who have done them wrong are all too powerful."
Rebecca Gilsenan
Executive Director, Principal Lawyer, Class actions, Sydney"I have extensive experience in running complex and novel litigation, including class actions in the areas of price fixing, failed investment schemes, product liability and securities."
Miranda Nagy
Principal Lawyer, Class actions, Sydney"I have a strong conviction that the community should be able to expect our governments and the companies we deal with to comply with the law."
Julian Schimmel
Principal Lawyer, Class actions, Sydney"Class actions are a unique legal mechanism that have helped hundreds of thousands of people receive compensation after mistreatment at the hands of powerful companies, and it’s gratifying to help people get access to justice when otherwise it would’ve been difficult for them."
Vavaa Mawuli
Principal, Class actions, Brisbane"The most rewarding thing about my work is the change in scale of what we are able to accomplish."
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