The number of class action lawsuits filed in Australia has been rising sharply—driven both by a major government inquiry into the financial sector and by increased activity by litigation funders.
***
A total of 29 class actions were filed in Australia in the first half of 2018, with the number increasing to 35 in the second half of the year, bringing the total for the year to 64. And in the first half of this year, another 18 class actions were filed, according to figures collected by Vince Morabito, professor of law at Melbourne’s Monash University. These numbers stand in stark contrast to what came before: the average number of class action suits filed each year since 1992, when Australia started allowing class actions, is 22.
via Australian Class Actions Rise Sharply, Litigation Funding Drives Increase | Law.com.