"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."
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.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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