Some Katherine property owners might be alarmed this week to discover they need to actually "opt out" of the looming legal action against the Department of Defence.
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Katherine, together with Oakey and Williamtown, are suing Defence for compensation over PFAS contamination and a subsequent fall in property values.
Shine Lawyers signed up hundreds of Katherine people last year to take on the class action.
But rather than actively joining the legal action, residents have to actively remove themselves if they don't want to take part in the action, anticipated to hit court later this year.
Defence has put side more than $50 million to prepare for the court fight.
Katherine Town Council has decided not to be involved, or investigate taking legal action against Defence.
In Katherine's case, Shine Lawyers has secured funding support from IMF Bentham which means it can take the action on a no win, no fee basis.
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The Federal Court says Katherine property owners have until July 19 to opt out.
These are Katherine residents who own, or have owned a property in the investigation area (basically Katherine township) as at November 23, 2016.
If they want no part in the class action, they must fill out an opt out form, also available though the Shine Lawyers website.
"The opt out notices are court ordered in all class actions," Shine Lawyers' Special Counsel for Class Actions, Joshua Aylward said today.
"These notices give the opportunity for anyone to leave the class action if they want to.
"If people opt out of the class action, they will then have to bring their own claim against Defence for any compensation."
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