Please note that all submissions to the site are subject to the wiki's licence, CC 4.0 BY-SA, as found here

Class action: Difference between revisions

From Consumer Action Taskforce
Jump to navigationJump to search
Added mention of interplay with forced arbitration.
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
A class action (or class-action lawsuit) is a type of civil lawsuit that allows a group of individuals (the "class") to make a unified, collective civil case against an entity.
A class action (or class-action lawsuit) is a type of civil lawsuit that allows a group of individuals (the "class") to make a unified, collective civil case against an entity.
Class actions are of particular importance for upholding consumer rights, as they allow claimants to receive justice when it would be too costly and time-consuming for individuals to separately seek justice.


When a class action succeeds, the class receives compensation, and after legal fees, all members of the class receive a share of the compensation.
When a class action succeeds, the class receives compensation, and after legal fees, all members of the class receive a share of the compensation.


Class actions originated in the US but are now recognised in some other jurisdictions, including Canada, the UK, and some European countries.
Class actions originated in the US but are now recognised in some other jurisdictions, including Canada, the UK, and some European countries.
== Importance for consumer rights ==
Class actions are of particular importance for upholding consumer rights, as they allow claimants to receive justice when it would be too costly and time-consuming for individuals to separately seek justice on a widespread issue.


== Obstacles ==
== Obstacles ==

Revision as of 12:46, 19 January 2025

A class action (or class-action lawsuit) is a type of civil lawsuit that allows a group of individuals (the "class") to make a unified, collective civil case against an entity.

When a class action succeeds, the class receives compensation, and after legal fees, all members of the class receive a share of the compensation.

Class actions originated in the US but are now recognised in some other jurisdictions, including Canada, the UK, and some European countries.

Importance for consumer rights

Class actions are of particular importance for upholding consumer rights, as they allow claimants to receive justice when it would be too costly and time-consuming for individuals to separately seek justice on a widespread issue.

Obstacles

Forced arbitration

Forced arbitration clauses can restrict individuals from participating in class actions.

References