ASIC CLASS ORDER [CO 12/158]
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Prepared by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission
Corporations Act 2001
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) makes Class Order [CO 12/158] under paragraphs 601QA(1)(b), 926A(2)(a), 992B(1)(a) and 1020F(1)(a) of the Corporations Act 2001 (the Act).
Paragraph 601QA(1)(b) of the Act provides that ASIC may declare that Chapter 5C of the Act apply to a person as if the provisions were omitted, modified or varied in a certain way.
Paragraph 926A(2)(a) of the Act provides that ASIC may exempt a person from a provision of Part 7.6 of the Act (other than Divisions 4 and 8).
Paragraph 992B(1)(a) of the Act provides that ASIC may exempt a person from a provision of Part 7.8 of the Act.
Paragraph 1020F(1)(a) of the Act provides that ASIC may exempt a person from a provision of Part 7.9 of the Act.
1. Background
On 20 October 2009, the Full Federal Court held in Brookfield Multiplex Ltd v International Litigation Funding Partners Pte Ltd [2009] FCAFC 147 that a funded representative action and solicitors’ retainers for two representative proceedings against Brookfield Multiplex Ltd in the Federal Court were a managed investment scheme that should have been registered for the purposes of the Act.
On 4 May 2010, the Government announced that it would make regulations exempting representative proceedings and proof of debt arrangements from:
(a) the definition of “managed investment scheme” in section 9 of the Act; and
(b) Parts 7.6, 7.7, 7.8 and 7.9 of the Act as long as there are appropriate arrangements in place to manage conflicts of interest.
ASIC executed Class Order [CO 10/333] on 5 May 2010. This class order:
- provides for Chapter 5C to apply as if the definition of a “managed investment scheme” in section 9 of the Act were varied to exclude a litigation funding scheme and a proof of debt funding scheme; and
- exempts funders, lawyers and their representatives and other persons from the requirements to hold an Australian financial services licence or act as an authorised representative of a licensee to provide financial services associated with a litigation funding scheme and a proof of debt funding scheme; and
- exempts persons from the requirement to comply with the disclosure provisions in Part 7.9 of the Act in relation to interests in a litigation funding scheme and a proof of debt funding scheme.
On 15 March 2011, the New South Wales Court of Appeal held in International Litigation Partners Pte Ltd v Chameleon Mining NL [2011] NSWCA 50 that a litigation funding agreement was a financial product under section 763A of the Act because it is a facility through which financial risk is managed.
On 23 June 2011, ASIC executed Class Order [CO 11/555]. This class order varied Class Order [CO 10/333] to exempt a person from the requirements in the Act for a litigation funding arrangement or a proof of debt funding arrangement to the extent the arrangement, or an interest in the arrangement, is otherwise characterised as a financial product, including an interest in a single member arrangement that is characterised as a financial product.
The relief in Class Order [CO 10/333] originally had effect until 30 September 2010. The transitional relief was extended to 29 February 2012.
2. Purpose of [CO 12/158]
Class Order [CO 12/158] will further enable the temporary operation of a litigation funding scheme and a proof of debt funding scheme that is characterised as a managed investment scheme under the Act without compliance with the requirements of the Act until 30 September 2012.
Class Order [CO 12/158] will also extend the transitional relief from the requirements in the Act for a litigation funding arrangement and a proof of debt funding arrangement that is otherwise characterised as a financial product until 30 September 2012.
This is to allow additional time for the Government to implement the legislative reform for litigation funding schemes and proof of debt schemes.
3. Operation of [CO 12/158]
Class Order [CO 12/158] varies [CO 10/333] by replacing 29 February 2012 in paragraph 10 with 30 September 2012.
4. Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights
This statement is prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.
This Legislative Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 because it does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.
5. Consultation
ASIC consulted with the Department of the Treasury before making the class order. ASIC did not undertake further consultation with other stakeholders because the class order provides relief only for a short period pending implementation of the Government’s decision by regulation.