Class Action Lawyers
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
When a large number of people suffer similar losses or harm because of the actions of a business, organization or other party, taking legal action individually isn’t always practical.
Our class action lawyers help individuals and businesses across Australia understand their rights and explore whether a collective legal claim may be appropriate.
At Attwood Marshall Lawyers, we know that challenging a large corporation or well-resourced defendant can feel overwhelming, particularly when you’re unsure where to begin or what your options might be.
Our experienced legal team can assess potential claims, explain how court proceedings work and provide practical advice about the next steps involved.
Current Class Action Investigations
Telstra Outage – July 2026
Status: Preliminary investigation, no class action proceedings have been filed.
Last updated: 5 November 2026
Attwood Marshall Lawyers is investigating whether customers affected by the July 2026 Telstra mobile network outage may have grounds to pursue a class action.
The disruption affected individuals and businesses across Australia, including people who experienced difficulties making calls, accessing mobile data, processing payments, or operating their business.
We are inviting affected customers, particularly those who suffered financial losses or significant business interruption, to register their interest.
Completing an expression of interest helps our team understand the extent of the disruption and assess whether legal proceedings may be viable. It does not mean a class action has commenced, that you have formally joined proceedings, or that compensation is guaranteed.
Were you impacted by the Telstra outage?
Register your interest by completing our short questionnaire. This will help us understand how customers were affected and assess whether a class action may be viable.
What is a Class Action?
A class action is a type of lawsuit that enables a group of claimants to bring an action against the same person, company, or government entity. It allows common legal and factual issues to be dealt with together rather than through multiple individual court cases.
Class actions can provide a practical way for people to pursue their rights when the cost, complexity or risk of bringing an individual claim might otherwise discourage them from taking legal action.
They are commonly brought against businesses, financial institutions, manufacturers, government bodies, and other organisations where the same conduct has affected multiple people.
To be classified as a Class Action, the following requirements must be met:
- Seven or more people must have claims against the same person or company.
- The same or similar circumstances must have given rise to those claims.
- A substantial common issue of law or fact must exist across the claims.
Not everyone in a class action needs to have suffered exactly the same loss. What matters is whether there are common issues that can appropriately be determined together.
What it takes to run a Class Action
Class actions can make it possible for people to pursue claims that may be too expensive or complex to bring individually. However, running one requires considerable preparation, evidence and legal expertise.
Rather than every person commencing separate proceedings, a lead applicant brings the case on behalf of the larger group. The court can then determine issues common to the claims, reducing the need for those same questions to be argued repeatedly.
How does a Class Action work?
- Lawyers assess the potential claims, identify common issues and consider whether a class action is appropriate.
- A lead applicant files the claim on behalf of the group.
- Eligible group members may receive information about the proceedings and class action process, registration requirements and their right to opt out.
- The parties exchange evidence, address legal arguments and, if necessary, proceed to trial.
- The matter may resolve through negotiations or a court decision.
- Any proposed settlement requires court approval before compensation can be distributed to the claimants.
Every case is different. Some resolve through negotiation, while others involve lengthy and contested proceedings.
Types of Class Action cases we act on
Our litigation team can assess potential group claims involving the following matters and advise whether a class action or another legal pathway may be appropriate.
Consumers and businesses may have grounds to pursue legal action where misleading representations, unfair business practices or breaches of consumer protection laws have caused widespread financial loss.
These claims may involve false advertising, misrepresented products or services, or conduct affecting large numbers of customers.
Click to learn more about Contract Disputes and Consumer Disputes.
Purchasers of units in body corporates/strata schemes may have grounds to commence a class action on the basis of defective building works, negligence and or misleading and deceptive conduct.
When companies fail to meet their legal obligations, shareholders and investors can suffer substantial financial losses.
Group claims may arise from misleading financial disclosures, failures to disclose material information or other conduct that affects investment decisions and shareholder interests.
Click to learn more about your rights as a company shareholder.
Financial disputes can affect thousands of customers through the same fees, lending practices, insurance arrangements, or contractual terms.
Where financial institutions or insurers have acted unlawfully, affected customers who have suffered loss may have grounds to seek compensation or other remedies.
Click to learn more about Banking, Finance and Insurance Disputes.
Defective or unsafe products can cause personal injury, property damage or financial loss to multiple consumers.
Depending on the circumstances, claims may arise against manufacturers, suppliers or other responsible parties where products fail to meet applicable safety standards or consumer guarantees.
Service failures, major telecommunications outages and data breaches can affect large numbers of customers simultaneously.
Potential claims may involve financial losses, business interruption, privacy breaches or other consequences arising from the incident.
Where multiple employees experience similar unlawful workplace practices, group proceedings may provide a way to address common issues.
These matters can involve alleged underpayments, unpaid entitlements, misleading employment arrangements or other systemic issues affecting workers.
The appropriate legal pathway will depend on the circumstances and appliable legislation.
Class Action Lawyers across Australia
Attwood Marshall Lawyers provides class action and litigation advice to individuals and businesses across Australia.
With offices located on the Gold Coast, in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, our team can assist clients regardless of where they are located.
Find out more about our litigation services in your location:
Why choose Attwood Marshall Lawyers
Attwood Marshall Lawyers has a history of involvement in class action litigation in New South Wales and the Federal Court of Australia, extending back before Queensland introduced its statutory class action regime in 2017.
We understand the preparation, evidence and strategic considerations involved when multiple people seek to pursue similar claims.
Our litigation department is headed up by Law Society Accredited Specialist in Dispute Resolution, Charles Lethbridge.
Charles and the litigation team have become a prominent force on the Eastern Seaboard, and have acted for international corporations, blue-chip Australian companies, as well as family-owned businesses and individuals.
We believe clients should understand both the opportunities and challenges involved before committing to legal proceedings and communicate clearly with our clients to help them make informed decisions.
FAQs
If you believe a business or organisation has caused similar losses to a group of people, the first step is to speak with an experienced litigation lawyer.
A lawyer can investigate the circumstances, assess the available evidence and determine whether the legal requirements for a class action are met.
Generally, there must be at least seven people with claims arising from similar or related circumstances and a substantial common issue of law or fact.
One or more people act as lead applicants, representing the wider group.
Depending on the nature of the dispute, proceedings may be brought in the Federal Court of Australia or an appropriate State Supreme Court.
If proceedings have already commenced, you may be a group member if you fall within the class definition.
You can contact the lawyers conducting the case to register your interest, receive updates, and understand any steps required.
Class action claims are complex proceedings, and many take several years to resolve.
The timeframe depends on the number of people affected, the evidence required, the legal issues involved, and whether the defendant contests the claim.
Some matters settle through negotiations before reaching trial. Others involve lengthy hearings, appeals and further court processes.
Even after settlement is reached, court approval and the assessment of individual claims can take additional time.
There is no fixed timeframe for completing a class action, and an early settlement is never guaranteed.
Class actions can provide an opportunity to pursue compensation collectively, but they are not without risk.
There is no guarantee a claim will succeed or that every group member will receive compensation. However, one of the first things we will do as your lawyers is to advise, with the assistance of barristers, your prospects of succeeding in a litigated class action claim.
Proceedings can take years, particularly where liability is disputed, extensive evidence is required or appeals arise.
If the case succeeds, legal costs, funding arrangements and administration expenses may reduce the amount ultimately distributed to group members.
People who remain within the class are generally bound by the outcome, even if it is unsuccessful, unless they have validly opted out.
The lead applicant also carries greater responsibility and potential financial exposure than ordinary group members.
Understanding these risks before becoming involved is an important part of making an informed decision.
One of the advantages of class actions is that the costs of pursuing common legal issues can be spread across a larger group.
As the saying goes, the larger the class, the cheaper the costs may become when compared with bringing separate individual claims.
In many Australian class actions, ordinary group members are not required to pay legal fees upfront simply to remain part of the proceedings.
However, the funding arrangements can vary considerably.
Some class actions involve third-party litigation funders, who contribute towards legal costs in exchange for an agreed return if the case succeeds. Others may operate under different legal costs arrangements.
Legal fees, funding commissions and administration expenses may be deducted from a settlement or judgment amount, subject to appliable requirements and court orders.
Before proceeding, our team can explain the proposed funding arrangements, potential deductions and any financial obligations relevant to your circumstances.
Many Australian class actions operate on an opt-out basis.
This means people who fall within the definition of the group are generally included in the proceedings unless they formally opt out by the deadline set by the court.
You may be included even if you haven’t contacted the lawyers running the case.
However, being included does not necessarily mean you will automatically receive compensation.
Group members generally must register their participation or complete a claims process to receive compensation, depending on the court’s orders and terms of any settlement.
Opting out means you will not be bound by the class action outcome and may be able to pursue your own claim separately, subject to applicable time limits.
Speak to a Class Action Lawyer
If you believe you have a potential class action and would like further information or to arrange an appointment at one of our office locations, please contact our class action team any time.
