On a bitterly cold night, lawyers, funders and other stakeholders involved in collective redress litigation packed the Law Society for the launch of CORLA, the Collective Redress Lawyers Association. It was an evening of insight and thought-provoking talks about the shape and future of group litigation as a means of enabling individuals to group together to vindicate their rights.
CORLA, the Collective Redress Lawyers Association, came about after those practising in the area for claimants on a regular basis began exploring more efficient and effective mechanisms for individuals harmed by wrongful conduct to exercise their rights and gain access to justice.
CORLA has been founded by UK group litigation firms Edwin Coe, Hausfeld & Co, Keller Lenkner UK, Leigh Day, Milberg London, and PGMBM. They have joined forces to establish a collective redress association for claimant practitioners and stakeholders in the group litigation sector.
CORLA believes collective redress, or group litigation, not only allows access to justice for the many – but unites victims from all backgrounds, places and age groups not only holding large corporations to account but often shedding light on the malpractice of an entire industry.
Co-President Martyn Day, of Leigh Day, said: “CORLA considers that a better understanding of the challenges faced by claimants seeking to access the justice process and the further development and expansion of collective redress in the UK are not only desirable, but essential to the interests of justice.
“It is with this in mind that we have founded CORLA and we urge any practitioners specialising in group litigation to become a member and join our common aim of simplifying the system to the benefit of all involved.”
Whilst UK practises have been dealing with group litigation for around 20 years, the courts have been met with some criticism over the efficiency of handling the needs of multiple clients with the needs of defendants.
Co-President David Greene said: “The justice process must deliver effective access to justice in a world where many people may suffer from wrongs committed by governments and business. Recent examples show that the ad hoc response, in this jurisdiction, to mass wrongs leaves access to justice for citizens far behind. CORLA will seek to address, with others, the failings to build an effective comprehensive process for all.”
Guy Robson, Vice-President CORLA and a partner at Keller Lenkner UK said: “We are delighted that so many with a deep-seated commitment to collective redress were able to attend CORLA’s launch event at the Law Society yesterday. Now that CORLA is up and running, we welcome applications for solicitors, barristers, experts and others to join CORLA and help shape the discussion on the future of collective redress in the UK. Membership details can be found at corla.org.uk.”
The launch event also heard talks from Rachael Mulheron, Professor of Tort Law and Civil Justice at the Department of Law, Queen Mary University of London, Barbara Fontaine, Senior Master, Queen’s Bench Division, and barrister Thomas de la Mare QC from Blackstone Chambers.
A sub-committee has already been set up to focus on CORLA’s public policies and aims. It will canvas participation and engagement on topics from new members.
From today (Friday 1st April), CORLA will seek applications for full and associate membership.
Further details about CORLA can be found at: https://corla.org.uk/
For media comment on CORLA or its policy aims please contact: [email protected]
Published on April 1, 2022 by CORLA