Note on European Commission Green Paper on Collective Redress

Published by:

Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, University of Oxford 

Abstract:

This Note summarises the European Commission’s Green Paper of November 2008 on Consumer Collective Redress, and associated Studies. The Commission outlines four Options for future policy, or combination of options, ranging from no action to cooperation between Member States, a mix of policy instruments, and judicial procedures. Responses are requested by 1 March 2009. The approach is notably wide-ranging and imaginative, signalling preference for new approaches and combinations. The data confirms that mass consumer problems involve modest sums, individually and in total detriment, and this raises questions about Community competence to legislate. The author comments on the options and identifies a possible future policy.