Litigation Funding and Group Proceedings

Project Status:

Tabled in parliament

Start Date:

16/12/2016

Tabled in Parliament Date:

14/06/2018

Project

Access to Justice Litigation Funding graphic shows blue and white raised hands on a red backgroundThe ability of everyone to use the legal system to enforce their rights is basic to a fair and open legal system. However, sometimes legal processes develop in a way that restricts access to the law by making it too risky or expensive to proceed.

In December 2016, the Attorney-General asked the Commission to report on class actions law reform, including litigation funding, contingency fees for law firms, and changes to ensure that class action litigants were not exposed to disproportionate costs.

Following the publication of a consultation paper in July 2017 the inquiry received 36 submissions, conducted roundtable discussions with lawyers, academics, regulators, litigation funders and class action members, and consulted with judges and other contributors.

Tabled in parliament in June 2018, the Access to Justice: Litigation Funding and Group Proceedings Report recommended changes to increase access to justice for class action litigants. This could be achieved by regulating litigation funding at a national level, lifting the ban on contingency fees and increasing the Victorian Supreme Court’s role in managing class actions. To find out which of our recommendations have become law, visit the Implementation page.

Below are links to the report, the consultation paper, a plain English summary of the issues, the submissions received and other documents.

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Project Stage

  • Terms of reference received
  • Submissions and consultations
  • Submissions closed
  • Final Report
  • Tabled in parliament

Publications

Publication Date

19/06/2018

Tabled in parliament on 19 June 2018, the Commission’s report Access to Justice: Litigation Funding and Group Proceedings made 31 recommendations to improve access to the law for those using litigation funding or involved in class actions. Read more
Publication Date

19/06/2018

Tabled in parliament on 19 June 2018, the Commission’s report Access to Justice: Litigation Funding and Group Proceedings made 31 recommendations to improve access to the law for those using litigation funding or involved in class actions. Read more
Publication Date

19/06/2018

Tabled in parliament on 19 June 2018, the Commission’s report Access to Justice: Litigation Funding and Group Proceedings made 31 recommendations to improve access to the law for those using litigation funding or involved in class actions. Read more
Publication Date

13/12/2017

The Commission received the following submissions. Read more