The High Court unanimously found that the class action waiver clause in the US passengers’ terms and conditions was unfair and therefore void, and agreed with the Primary Judge, Justice Stewart, that the exclusive jurisdiction clause (in favour of the US courts) in those terms and conditions should not be enforced.

The result means that overseas passengers can participate in the class action, which was successful at initial trial in October this year. More broadly, this is an important judgment for Australian consumer law and group actions giving clarity on the enforceability of class action waiver clauses in Australia. A summary of the High Court’s judgment can be found here.