Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Southern Response Class Action back in court

SOUTHERN RESPONSE CLASS ACTION BACK IN COURT

17 October 2016

Southern Response Class Action (SRCA) is back in court on Wednesday seeking an order that their class action may proceed. The group of 40, accuses Southern Response (which is owned by the Government) of consistently delaying earthquake house repairs, and of under-estimating claims.

On 16 December 2015 the group applied for a ‘representative order’ but earlier this year Judge Mander rejected that application, suggesting more evidence of a commonality of interest was needed. The group’s new claim highlights the allegation that the insurer’s strategy is to minimise its liability by using the following tactics:

- misrepresenting the nature of Southern Response’s obligations and the claimants’ rights;

- understating the extent of the work required, and the cost of undertaking that work;

- offering cash settlements significantly below the actual assessed cost of undertaking the work in question;

- assuming control of the rebuilding and repair work, so it could minimise the cost to it of the required work;

- unreasonably delaying in responding to and meeting the claims of the claimants;

- adopting various other stances designed to reduce its liabilities;

- inducing “settlements” of the claims for significantly reduced amounts; and

- undertaking sub-standard repair work.

SRCA lawyer Grant Cameron says the group has strong expectations the court will grant their application and a class action will proceed in 2017.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“To date policyholders have not been able to get court assistance as, individually, they don’t have the money to engage experts or lawyers, or to engage in lengthy litigation. Therefore, the court has not been an option. However, with the support of a litigation funder we think policyholders may for the first time, get access to justice and effective remedies”.

The hearing is set for 10am on Wednesday, 19 October at the High Court in Christchurch.


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.