Lawyers from Nahwegahbow Corbiere are appealing a court ruling that reduced their claimed $510 million in fees from a $10 billion settlement for 21 Anishinaabe First Nations. The Superior Court deemed the fees unreasonable, leading to a reduction of $487 million. The lawyers argue this decision could deter legal representation for complex cases involving under-resourced groups. Contingency fee agreements, where clients pay a percentage of settlements, are common but face scrutiny as large cases emerge, potentially setting new precedents for such fees in Ontario.
"Justice Fred Myers ruled that the agreed five percent cut of the settlement was neither fair nor reasonable, leading to a significant reduction of $487 million in legal fees claimed by the lawyers."
"Lawyers representing Nahwegahbow Corbiere argue that the court's decision will have a chilling effect on other cases, particularly those involving under-resourced groups that may not otherwise go to trial."
"Contingency fee agreements, which allow clients to pay lawyers a percentage of the settlement rather than upfront fees, are common in personal injury law and class actions, but are being tested in larger cases."
Read at www.cbc.ca
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]