The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform has announced that Australian plaintiffs’ firms have filed 69 class action lawsuits this fiscal year, setting a new record in Australian courts.
According to the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s press commentary, this increase is attributed to the 2022 rollback of litigation safeguards that eliminated government oversight of third-party litigation funding.
Australian media report that since 2022, class action lawsuits have resulted in payouts as high as AUS $127 million to law firms and litigation funders. The Daily Telegraph reports these figures, while News.com.au states that Shine Lawyers has secured AUS $400 million in settlements against the federal government during this period.
Litigation Lending Services reportedly received approximately AUS $46.5 million in fees from class actions against the Northern Territory government, all funded by taxpayers, as noted by The Daily Telegraph. This situation illustrates how funders, rather than claimants, often reap the primary financial gains.
The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform is a national advocacy organization focused on improving the civil justice system through policy changes, research, and public engagement to curb excessive litigation and promote a fair legal environment.
