Class action

It has been possible to file a class action in civil cases between a consumer and a business since 1 October 2007.

A case may be heard as a class action, if several persons have claims against the same defendant and based on the same or similar circumstances. A class action is brought by the Consumer Ombudsman, who also represents the class. Class members are not liable for legal costs; instead, they are paid by the plaintiff i.e. the Consumer Ombudsman or by the defendant.

A class action can be filed for example in disputes concerning a defect in consumer goods or the interpretation of terms of contract. Also disputes between a consumer and a business relating to the sales and marketing of investment products and insurances, such as pension insurances, savings insurances and fund units, fall within the scope of application of the Act on Class Actions.

Consumer Agency and Ombudsman

Updated on 30 January 2012