The Reform of Class Action Laws in NSW

On 6 August 2010, the Hon. John Hatzistergos MLC, Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations, announced a proposal to reform class action laws in New South Wales (NSW). According to the Attorney General, the reforms (which received preliminary support from Cabinet) seek to eliminate the lack of clarity in the current system which he believes does not 'provide clear guidelines as to who may commence a class action, in what circumstances and other issues such as settlement of proceedings, costs and appeals'.¹ The proposed reforms, modelled on already existing laws in the Federal and Victorian jurisdictions, will eliminate uncertainty whilst promoting a uniform system to minimise confusion for litigants.²