Dutch Mass Litigation from a Legal and Economic Perspective and its Relevance for France

RILE Working Paper Series 2014/02

25 Pages Posted: 2 Apr 2014

See all articles by Louis T. Visscher

Louis T. Visscher

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Erasmus School of Law; Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Rotterdam Institute of Law and Economics

Alexandre Biard

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Erasmus School of Law

Date Written: April 1, 2014

Abstract

In this Paper, we discuss the two options for the resolution of mass conflicts which exist in the Netherlands from an economic perspective and argue that such an analysis yields valuable insights for the current debate in France regarding the 'action de groupe'. The first Dutch option consists of collective litigation, where the claim however is not allowed to be filed in order to obtain compensatory damages. The second option is the Collective Settlement of Mass Claims (‘Wet Collectieve Afhandeling Massaschade’, abbreviated to WCAM). This procedure enables the alleged wrongdoer(s) and representative associations or foundations representing the victims who have reached an out of court settlement to request the Court to declare this settlement binding for all potential claimants on an opt-out basis. We believe that an understanding of the two Dutch procedures and an economic evaluation thereof can provide valuable insights for the discussion regarding the implementation of a group action in France.

In this Paper we first discuss mass litigation from an economic perspective, followed by an overview of the collective action and the WCAM and point out their respective strengths and weaknesses. Subsequently we make a few final observations regarding the implementation of a group action in France and its extension to environmental and health issues. Some recommendations and advice drawn from the Dutch experience will be provided.

Keywords: mass litigation, WCAM, class actions, settlement, group action, law and economics

JEL Classification: K40, K41

Suggested Citation

Visscher, Louis T. and Visscher, Louis T. and Biard, Alexandre, Dutch Mass Litigation from a Legal and Economic Perspective and its Relevance for France (April 1, 2014). RILE Working Paper Series 2014/02, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2418974 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2418974

Louis T. Visscher (Contact Author)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Erasmus School of Law ( email )

3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands
+31 (10) 408 1833 (Phone)
+31 (10) 408 9191 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://frg.sin-online.nl/staff/index.html?lia=227

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Rotterdam Institute of Law and Economics ( email )

Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
PO box 1738
Rotterdam, 3000 DR
Netherlands

Alexandre Biard

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Erasmus School of Law ( email )

3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands

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