The Class Action Code: A Model for Civil Law Countries

Abstract

The author proposes the enactment of a Class Action Code in civil law countries. The proposed Model Code extensively regulates all aspects of modern class actions, including standing, adequacy, prerequisites, certification, notice, proof, settlement, judgment, res judicata, lis pendens, attorney fees, injunctive class actions, class action for damages, calculation of damages, distribution of the award, fund for group rights, defendant class actions, etc.

The objective is to inspire the creation of the best possible code for class action suits, in light of the needs and peculiarities of civil law countries and the international experience with class actions. Although the proposal is focused primarily on civil-law countries, it may also prove useful to common law countries considering the adoption or improvement of class action rules.

La versione italiana di questo articolo può essere trovata in: http://ssrn.com/abstract=951889

A versão em português deste artigo pode ser encontrada em: http://ssrn.com/abstract=947207

La version française de ce document se trouvent à: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1406310

La versión en español de este artículo puede encontrarse en: http://ssrn.com/abstract=952455

Keywords: Class actions, comparative class actions, civil law, comparative civil procedure, comparative law, diffuse, collective, group action, collective litigation, collective action, group rights, parens patriae, associational standing