Consumers must be at the heart of any new class actions regime,
which allows people affected by the same legal issue to bring a
meritorious claim together. Vulnerable people especially should
not be shut out of getting the compensation they're owed.
The Law Society of England and Wales has today called on the Law
Commission to ensure that if a new consumer class action regime
is introduced, the whole range of existing routes to resolve
disputes is considered.
Responding to the Law Commission's new project which considers
how consumer law could be strengthened through a new consumer
class actions regime, Law Society president, Brett Dixon, said:
At the heart of every mass claim are a group of individuals who
cannot otherwise access justice where a wrong has been done on a
substantial scale. They can also ensure that companies seeking to
profit from malpractice are held to account.
Any new regime must ensure transparency so consumers understand
the process and can get compensation quickly. It must also
include safeguards so claims are handled fairly and effectively
for both claimants and defendants.
Consumers bringing mass claims may already be vulnerable and
seeking compensation for harm caused by large organisations.
Any class actions regime must make it easier for meritorious or
valid claims to be brought and resolved efficiently.
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