Order 18A of the Victorian Supreme Court Rules establishing group proceedings was held valid by majority as a rule of practice and procedure within s.25(1)(f) of the Supreme Court Act 1986, and alternatively under s.25(1)(a). The aggregate damages provisions (Rules 25 and 26) were characterised by the majority as prescribing a mode of paying properly calculated damages rather than altering the substantive law of damages. The dissent held that the 'reasonably accurate assessment' condition authorised departure from individual assessment principles and was beyond the rule-making power. The case left open whether group proceedings judgments attract full faith and credit under s.118 of the Constitution.
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