Tag: European Union

“Class Actions in Europe – Status Quo and Outlook”; Berlin Conference on May 7/8, 2012

Berlin’s Humboldt-Viadrina School of Governance and Frankfurt/Oder’s “Frankfurter Institut für das Recht der Europäischen Union” are hosting, on May 7 and 8, 2012, a conference on “Class Actions in the European Union – Status Quo and Outlook” (Die EU-Sammelklage – Status und Perspektiven). They have put together a programme with excellent speakers representing major interest groups and a broad spectrum of lawyers, judges, academics and industry bodies- a very promising set-up. Here’s the link to the conference programme.

Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes in the Single Market

The European Commission yesterday proposed legislation “to help consumers solve their disputes with businesses out of court”. The proposal comprises a Draft Directive on Consumer ADR and a Draft Regulation on Online Dispute Resolution. I have not yet been able to review the material in any detail, but it reminds me of the fact that Germany has not even managed to implement the EU Directive on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters, which was due in May 2011, and on which I was planning to post for some time.The press release says that the European Parliament and the EU Council have committed to adopting the package by the end of 2012 as a priority action in the Single Market Act, so we will follow that one closely over the next couple of months.