ParfumGigi@aol.com
31 janvier, 2007 16:43
France's Parliament Cancels Debate on Bill Allowing Class Actions
The Associated Press
01-31-2007
France's National Assembly on Tuesday canceled plans for an upcoming parliamentary debate on whether to introduce class action lawsuits into the French legal system, putting the reform into question.
The bill was to have been debated starting Feb. 6, but leading lawmakers slashed it from the schedule, citing a time crunch. Parliament is working overtime to push through legislation before the end of February, when parliamentary sessions close before France's presidential and legislative elections later this year.
The schedule change means that it will likely be up to France's next government to decide whether to revive the bill, which was presented by Finance Minister Thierry Breton in November.
French consumer associations have pushed for the change, which would allow consumers who feel they have been wronged or cheated to take companies to court collectively, rather than being forced to bring individual lawsuits.
Business representatives have opposed the measure, citing concerns over its potential impact on the economy.
Under the French version, a lawsuit could be brought only by a national consumer association on products or services with a value of less than $2,550 (2,000 euros). The bill would exclude health-related issues.
