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Top 10 class action stories in 2024
There were a lot of major moves in the class action space, including the filing of new proceedings, competitions among firms, and criticisms of “eye-watering” legal costs. Here Lawyers Weekly wraps up the top 10 class action stories.
Naomi Neilson
Over the last 12 months, a strip-search class action, one for a prescribed heartburn and reflux drug, and proceedings against Jaguar were heard in Australia’s major courts. There was also talk of more class actions, including one against Rio Tinto for widespread sexual harassment.
The legal profession was also interested in the criticisms by judges of law firms for their major legal costs, including the “eye-watering” sum in the Northern Territory wage theft class action and the “seriously overblown” fees in the Western Australian counterpart.
Here are ten of the most-read class action stories:
1. Firm that claimed entire $11m class action settlement to appeal order to slash amount
The law firm slammed for racking up avoidable costs in a class action and claiming the entirety of an $11 million settlement was granted leave to appeal a decision to reduce that amount by over $1 million.
2. Shine Lawyers to investigate class action against prescribed heartburn and reflux drug
A national law firm is investigating a potential class action lawsuit concerning a pharmaceutical drug that allegedly caused cancer and kidney failure in 10,000 people.
3. ‘Seriously overblown’: Shine slated for fees in WA stolen wages class action
Shine Lawyers has been criticised for the “enormous costs” it ran up in the West Australian stolen wages class action, particularly for the “excessive” hourly rates charged for unqualified law clerks.
4. NSW strip search class action gets green light
An attempt by the NSW government to shut down a class action into strip searches by police at festivals has failed.
5. Gilbert + Tobin loses control of Jaguar class action
A judge’s decision to award the Jaguar Land Rover class action to Gilbert + Tobin was found to be “procedurally unfair”.
6. Judge criticises lawyers in 7-Eleven class action for taking $2.5m from group members
A Federal Court judge criticised the legal practitioners behind a settlement approval application for taking six days away from the busy court and costing group members more than $2.5 million.
7. Rio Tinto facing possible class action following sexual harassment report
Following a scathing report into Rio Tinto, which uncovered widespread sexual harassment, a BigLaw firm is investigating a class action into the mining giant.
8. ‘Eye-watering’ legal costs in NT wage theft class action
The multimillion-dollar legal bill from Shine Lawyers in the Northern Territory stolen wages class action has been criticised by the Federal Court’s Chief Justice for being an “eye-watering sum”.
9. Maurice Blackburn secures ‘troubling’ $15m administrator bill
Following seven years of “considerable” work to distribute a $250 million settlement, Maurice Blackburn has convinced a court to grant it an additional $10 million over the predicted administration costs.
10. Class action against cosmetic surgery clinic grows
Patients of Dr Daniel Lanzer’s cosmetic surgery clinics across the country have contributed to come forward to take part in a growing class action in the Victorian Supreme Court.
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
You can email Naomi at:
