A Comparative Examination of Multi-Party Actions
The Case of Environmental Mass Harm
Zusammenfassung
Das Werk untersucht das Phänomen des mass harm. Die hinter den verschiedenen Konzepten von Sammelklagen stehenden Regeln, Restriktionen und politischen Steuerungsvorstellungen werden umfassend dargestellt und kollektive Rechtsdurchsetzungsverfahren beschrieben. Insbesondere werden Mehrparteien-Aktionen anhand einer Auswahl von Common-Law-Jurisdiktionen dargestellt. Im Fokus stehen die Verfahren in England, Wales, Kanada, Australien, den USA sowie der EU.
Abstract
This monograph addresses the phenomenon of mass harm and how it may be resolved through collective redress. It examines particularly how such redress may be achieved through mechanisms such as multi-party actions (MPAs). In order to do this, an analytical framework is created against which to evaluate various multi-party procedures. This is illustrated through the experience of a selection of common law jurisdictions in dealing with mass harm namely that of England and Wales, Canada, Australia and the United States, as well as that of EU collective redress. It examines multi-party action laws benchmarked against the objectives identified in the analytical framework. The phenomenon of environmental mass harm in particular is explored as a case study, as it illustrates some of the difficulties that may arise in mass harm litigation. Also, this work explores where the best solutions for mass harm redress may lie in the future perhaps in collective actions or through alternatives such as regulation and alternative dispute resolution or a combination of these. Finally, the experience of mass harm litigation in Ireland is examined, as currently this jurisdiction does not have an effective mechanism for dealing with mass harm.
- 2–11 1. Introduction 2–11
- 130–159 5. US Collective Redress 130–159
- 233–255 9. EU Collective Redress 233–255
- 275–283 11. Conclusion 275–283
- 288–299 Bibliography 288–299
- 300–319 Index 300–319