George Pell case: Law firms hoping for another bite

Lawyers for Catholic abuse survivors are examining further legal ­action against George Pell and the church.

Lawyers for Catholic abuse survivors are examining further legal ­action against George Pell and the church.

Several legal firms have been discussing Pell-related civil ­action over the church’s handling of the crisis. Legal sources told The Australian that several people had discussed allegations against Cardin­al Pell, 78, with potential civil action also flowing from some of the criminal charges that did not go to trial.

There is believed to be significant interest in the diocese of Ballarat, where Cardinal Pell worked as a young priest. The cardinal is not believed to have much — or indee­d any — money from which victims could retrieve compensation. This means that they will need to include the Ballarat diocese­ and the Melbourne archdiocese in any legal action to enable them to receive money.

Friends of Cardinal Pell have said that he has limited means and that he would be discouraged from getting bogged down with legal claims so late in his life.

The diocese of Ballarat or the church’s insurers are widely considered to be most at risk of having to fund any claims.

Diocese of Ballarat business manager Andrew Jirik told The Australian last month that the church still had dozens of outstandin­g abuse claims it was processing. He believes that there is sufficient money to cover the claims. “We don’t know when this is going to end,’’ he said.

The Australian has reported that, under new laws, the church entity that has the capacity to fund abuse payments is nominated as the party that is served any writ.