New Zealand law firm Russell McVeagh and litigation funder IMF Bentham are investigating a product liability class action against the manufacturers of flammable cladding.

IMF Bentham says hundreds of buildings across the country could be affected by cladding with a polyethylene (PE) core, and responsibility for dealing with the problem largely rests with owners and body corporates.

The firm is calling for registrations of interest in the class action, which it anticipates will start by the end of the year.

IMF says it will provide funding for experts retained by Russell McVeagh to examine cladding on buildings for those who register their interest, to confirm if they are eligible to join.

“Many owners do not know if their building’s cladding is combustible and expert advice may be needed to determine the answer,” the firm says.

“We encourage owners to register even if they do not know what cladding they have on their buildings.”

The action is open to property owners, body corporates and leaseholders who have suffered or will suffer financial loss from removing and replacing Alucobond and Vitrabond PE core cladding products or from taking other remedial measures.

IMF Bentham has already supported similar action in Australia.