Disagreeing with several 2d District opinions, this decision holds that the standard of review of an order granting or denying a private attorney general fee award under CCP 1021.5 is abuse of discretion even when the fee award order follows the Court of Appeal’s prior opinion (published or not) in favor of the fee applicant. Though the Court of Appeal may be in a better position to judge some of the prerequisites for a private attorney general fee award, such as success and public benefit, it should apply the abuse of discretion standard in reviewing the order.