Group proceedings (class actions) are proceedings brought on behalf of seven or more people, where the claims arise out of the same, similar or related circumstances and raise substantial common factual and legal questions.
The Victorian group proceedings regime commenced in January 2000 and is governed by Part IVA of the Supreme Court Act 1986. Group proceedings are also referred to as 'class actions' or 'representative proceedings'.
One or more plaintiffs initiate the claim on behalf of a group of people, called ‘group members’. All persons who meet the definition as pleaded in the claim will be group members unless they elect to ‘opt out’ of the group proceeding.
Group proceedings are heard both in the Common Law Division and Commercial Court of the Supreme Court.
Practice Note SC GEN 10 Conduct of Group Proceedings (Class Actions) provides guidance on the management of group proceedings in the Court.
See a list of current group proceedings below.
To view a list of some of the current group proceedings before the Court, see the current group proceedings. Please note that this list is not a complete list of all group proceedings before the Court. New group proceedings are displayed here when they are listed for an initial case management conference.
A list of settlement supervision group proceedings is also available.
The Court publishes notices to group members and other relevant information specific to group proceedings on the group proceedings webpages.
The following documents provide guidance to practitioners on the conduct of group proceedings in the Court:
Notices
Practice Notes
Other Information
Contact the pyqpynffnpgvbaf@fhcpbheg.ivp.tbi.nhua.vog.civ.truocpus@snoitcassalcdlccldclassactions@supcourt.vic.gov.au for more information regarding group proceedings in the Common Law Division.
Contact the PbzzrepvnyPbhegTebhcCebprrqvatf@fhcpbheg.ivp.tbi.nhua.vog.civ.truocpus@sgnideecorPpuorGtruoClaicremmoCCommercialCourtGroupProceedings@supcourt.vic.gov.au for more information regarding group proceedings in the Commercial Court.