In The NewsAccess to Justice and Third Party Funding: Ellen Bessner Comments on a Ground-Breaking Decision in Class Action LawsuitsPublished: 06/01/2011 Ontario class action plaintiffs may now have an alternative to the province's Class Proceedings Fund. In a recent decision, the Ontario Superior Court confirmed a previously conditional funding arrangement that provided for a third-party funding in exchange for a portion of any award or settlement, changing the legal landscape in the process. Ellen Bessner, a partner in the Litigation group, critiques the ruling in the article "Funding arrangement in ManuLife class action changes landscape". Although the ruling seems to soften restrictions on champerty and maintenance, it does provide a creative way of addressing the expenses of class action litigation. For a broader understanding of this ruling, read the full article found in the June 1 issue of the Financial Post. |