Class action
Class action: how does it work in practice? The stages of the procedure
By Raphaël MORENON4 April 2025You have read our previous articles and you think that a situation you have experienced, or of which you are aware, could fall within the scope of a group action. A defective product, a systematic discriminatory practice, a massive breach of personal data... But beyond identifying the problem, how does legal action of this kind actually work in France? What are the main stages, deadlines and points to watch out for? Although the aim of group action is to simplify the defence of the interests of many victims, it remains a complex legal procedure with its own rules. While a general framework was laid down by the 2016 law on the modernisation of justice in the 21st century (known as the "J21 law"), there are still significant variations depending on the area concerned (consumer, health, discrimination, environment, personal data). The aim of this article is to guide you through the key stages in the process of bringing a group action in France, by...
Consumer group action: how to take collective action against a professional?
Class action, Civil procedureBank charges unduly deducted from thousands of accounts, a smartphone model with a hidden design defect affecting an entire series, an unlawful clause systematically inserted into an internet service provider's subscription contracts... Examples of disputes in which a large number of consumers suffer prejudice...Discrimination: group action to assert your rights
Class action, Civil procedureDespite advances in legislation and growing social awareness, discrimination remains a reality in many aspects of everyday life: in recruitment, in career development, in access to housing, credit or even certain services. For the person who is...Health and the environment: group action for personal injury and environmental damage
Class action, Civil procedureMedicines with devastating side effects affecting thousands of patients, defective medical prostheses implanted in large numbers of people, industrial pollution contaminating the soil and affecting the health or property of local residents over a wide area... Massive attacks on public health or...Personal data breached? Group action for redress
Class action, Civil procedureIn the digital age, our personal data has become a bargaining chip, a coveted resource, but also a potential source of vulnerability. Every day, we entrust information about ourselves to companies, administrations and online platforms. While most organisations do their utmost to comply with the rules, incidents do occur...Group action in France: a tool for defending your rights collectively
Class action, Civil procedureA defective product sold in thousands, an unfair clause slipped into countless subscription contracts, unjustified bank charges deducted from the accounts of numerous customers... These situations, which are unfortunately common, often place victims in an awkward position. Individually, the loss suffered may seem too small to justify the compensation...
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