The Queensland Attorney-General, Yvette D'Ath has said today that the Queensland Government will introduce class action legislation into the Parliament in August, so as to bring Queensland in line with legislation that has been in place for decades in the Victorian and NSW Supreme Courts and the Federal Court.
This comes on the back of Queensland losing out to NSW for the high profile 2011 Flood Class Action which goes to trial in the NSW Supreme Court in mid-2017.
In her statement, the Attorney-General said:
"At present, Queenslanders who wish to take class action lawsuits have to operate through other jurisdictions to do so," said Mrs D'Ath.
"For people who are often involved in emotionally and financially difficult circumstances, this can limit their access to justice through unnecessary complexity and inconvenience.
"There can also be an additional cost burden for claimants who currently need to pursue class action matters through other jurisdictions.
"For cases that are particularly pertinent to Queensland, it will also allow the knowledge and expertise of our judges and lawyers to be better utilised."
The legislation will be a welcome addition to the Supreme Court's powers and to potential Queensland plaintiffs who currently either have to bring class actions south of the border or fit within the Federal jurisdiction.
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