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WRITTEN B Y: B. CARROLL
INTRODUCTION
depending upon which litigation and legal support best suits each legal
Australia, the dangers that have been raised and the benefits also that
can arise out of accessing this legal procedural mechanism and fee
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Written By: B. Carroll
5th June 2009
are inherent in utilising such litigation in this area. The next part of the
paper shall outline the two-way use of contingency fees by citizens and
arrangements are found, and whether there are any dangers to citizens
C L A SS A C T I O N S
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5th June 2009
Court since 19924, and part of the Victorian Supreme Court since early
interest, and that this was likely because of unfamiliarity with its
aims of class action regime. The aim of the provisions set out in the
Federal Court of Australia Act and the Supreme Court of Victoria Act
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,
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That, where 7 or more people having claims against the same person, and
where those claims are in respect of or arise out of similar or related
circumstances.
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Nichols & Gordon, op. cit., p.6.
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Cameron & Murphy, op. cit., p.399.
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5th June 2009
affected and the total amount at issue is significant, each person’s loss
ruled to not have common issues arise with each respondent. This
being class actions. Barry Lipp states that ‘a denial of access to justice
to tort claimants who are unable to bring their claim in another forum
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5th June 2009
environment, which directly leads to claimants not being able to, and
CONTINGENCY FEES
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5th June 2009
from the other party. Though a pre-dominate danger is, if a claim fails,
the client may be liableto pay both the engaged solicitors fees and
advice to the conduct of the “action”, so asto work towards its success.
occur and the client is liable for all costs that havearisen thus far in the
protect, in a small way, their costs in relation to time and efforts spent
on a matter.
motor vehicle accidents and public liability. But also legal firms will use
are all areas that the state and commonwealth funded legal aid
convinced that contingency fees are the answer to the problem of the
provide free advice with minor civil matters, but at the same time
and criteria.17
procuring legal assistance and which are also outside state assistance.
16
Access to Justice Advisory Committee (1994), Access to Justice: An Action
Plan, AGPS, Canberra. Ch. 6 “Contingency Fees”, p. 35.
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Legal Services Commission of South Australia web site, available at
<http://www.lsc.sa.gov.au/cb_pages/legal_aid_eligibility.php>
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These citizens are left with the option of self representation or seeking
C O N C LU S I O N
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5th June 2009
reviews of the use of class actions and contingency fee schedules for
all areas of legal remedies and all litigation methods, there is inherent
danger to both public citizens who are seeking to access justice and
the legal profession who raise their hand to help citizens’ access
justice.
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5th June 2009
REFERENCE LIST