Shareholder Class Actions in Australia – Myths v Facts

Shareholder class action litigation is the most discussed and controversial category of class actions but, unfortunately, much of the analysis and commentary on shareholder class actions has been inaccurate. The purpose of this report is to provide comprehensive and accurate data with respect to the first 27 years and four months of shareholder class actions in Australia so as to facilitate an accurate evaluation of (or even an accurate general dialogue with respect to) shareholder class actions. The period in question - the review period - goes from 4 March 1992 to 30 June 2019. In light of the claims that have been made on numerous occasions over the last few weeks that there has been an explosion of class actions over the last 12 months or so, I will also provide some data on all Australian class actions filed over the review period.