Slater and Gordon Lawyers have notified more than 100 thousand music festival ticket holders regarding their potential inclusion in the lawsuit.
Festivalgoers who attended music festivals across New South Wales between 2016 and 2022 may soon receive notices regarding their potential inclusion in a significant class action lawsuit against the state’s police force.
Filed in July 2022 by Slater and Gordon Lawyers alongside Redfern Legal Centre, the class action accuses NSW police of conducting unlawful strip searches during this six-year period.
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
The lawsuit, which alleges that police engaged in assault, battery and false imprisonment while searching individuals for illicit substances, aims to address claims of invasive and unlawful searches experienced by festival attendees. A trial is set to commence on May 5, 2025, with an expected duration of four weeks.
Slater and Gordon’s Class Actions Associate, Jordyn Keating, confirmed that the NSW Supreme Court has mandated the distribution of notices to over 100,000 ticket purchasers who attended music festivals during the relevant timeframe. These notices will inform potential class members about the legal proceedings and provide instructions on how to register their interest or opt out of the class action.
“This is a routine step in the class action process as we move towards the trial date,” said Keating. “Anyone with questions regarding their rights or the class action should visit our website, where a dedicated team is available to assist.”
Samantha Lee, police accountability solicitor at Redfern Legal Centre, emphasized the potential impact of the lawsuit. “This action has the potential to hold NSW Police accountable and offer legal recourse, providing justice to hundreds of individuals who have endured invasive, often traumatic, and unlawful strip searches.”
Slater and Gordon Lawyers has encouraged anyone who has questions about the class action or about their legal rights to reach out, as they have a dedicated team available to help.
For further information or to inquire about the class action, affected individuals are encouraged to visit Slater and Gordon’s website here.
