Five Australian families who had relatives on downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 have settled a class action court case with the airline for a confidential figure.
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The families, one from NSW, had seven relatives on the flight which was shot down over Ukraine by a Russian missile on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 people on board.
Among the passengers was Canberra woman Liliane Derden, who was travelling from Amsterdam to Perth to see her daughter Cassandra Gibson. Ms Gibson was the lead applicant in the Federal Court class action.
On Wednesday, the court approved a settlement between the parties - who had previously participated in two mediations - shortly before the case was due to proceed to a hearing. The court was told the amount of money was "fair".
Barrister John Rowe, who appeared for the families in court, said the money will be distributed "in the very near future".
"The incident was very traumatic to the families. It's been a long journey, and during that time the trauma on the various claimants has been evident," Mr Rowe said. "All of them, I think, remain affected."
Mr Rowe said preparing for court also caused "trauma and concern" for the claimants, who were examined by psychiatrists and had statements taken from them. Some also "steeled themselves" to give evidence in court.
"Settling relieves them of that extra trauma," Mr Rowe said.
"I don't suggest for one moment that they've all overcome the loss, but I think most of them - if not all of them - are attempting, successfully, to get on with their lives."
Last week it was announced that four people allegedly responsible for shooting down MH17 would be charged and face a criminal trial at The Hague next year after a lengthy investigation by the Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
Michael Hyland, special counsel for Sydney firm LHD Lawyers, said the settlement provides "some degree of closure".
"With the announcement recently from the JIT ... from the perspective of our clients only part of their journey has been completed by closure of the class action," Mr Hyland said.
"Obviously they have a very keen desire to see justice served in respect of those responsible for the death of their family members."
Mr Hyland said the situation had "heightened the anxiety" of the family members, ahead of the approaching fifth anniversary of the plane being downed.
"I think it will be quite some time yet before the dust settles on the matter for them," Mr Hyland said.
Malaysia Airlines has been contacted for comment.
- SMH/The Age
