Labor’s sexual harassment changes could clog courts with ‘unmeritorious’ claims, Law Council warns

Costs protection bill would tilt balance in favour of accusers and move financial risk to accused, legal body says

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The Law Council of Australia has warned that proposed changes removing cost barriers for applicants in sexual harassment and discrimination cases could result in “arbitrary and unintended consequences” such as clogging the courts with “unmeritorious” claims.

Before a parliamentary inquiry hearing into the bill next Wednesday, the peak legal body said in its submission it was concerned Labor’s bill too heavily tilted the balance towards those accusing sexual harassment and placed the burden of financial risk on those being accused.

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Law (Australia) | The Guardian