The Federal Court has scheduled a case management hearing regarding four business interruption class actions for April as insurers and policyholders await the outcome of an industry test case on claims lodged during the pandemic.

Gordon Legal Partner Commercial Law James Naughton says two class actions conducted by Gordon Legal have been listed for directions together with two class actions issued by Slater & Gordon.

“The Federal Court has adjourned all four class actions to 12 April 2022 to await the Full Federal Court delivering its judgment in the second test case,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

The Full Court reserved its decision in November after concluding hearings on the Insurance Council of Australia test case. A decision had been anticipated by the end of last year or early this year following an expedited appeal.

The four class actions are: Cody Gemtec Retail t/as the National Opal Collection v the underwriting members of Syndicate 2003 at Lloyd's; Strand Fitness & ors v QBE;  CMC Hospitality v Insurance Australia; and Vicki Field Swim School v Hollard.