Civil recent changes

Question 1

1 recent change and 1 recommendation for change

Answer 1

Recent change: Changes to the supreme court rules in regards to appeals 2014.

Recommendation: Litigation funding and group proceedings in 2016

Question 2

Changes to the supreme court rules in regards to appeals 2014.

Answer 2

A greater capacity for single judges to determine applications thus resulting in more applications being heard. Parties must set out detailed contentions and supporting papers to be filed when appeal initiated in the written case. More appeals to be determined based on written case and supporting papers without taking the extensive time to go through an oral hearing.

Question 3

Litigation funding and group proceedings in 2016

Answer 3

In 2016 the attorney general asked the VLRC to report on a number of issues to ensure that litigants who seek to enforce their rights using the services of litigation funders and/or through group proceedings (class action) are not exposed to unfair risks or disproportionate costs burdens. The report is due 2018.