EU: Commission’s latest efforts focus on consumer compensation

Following reports earlier this month that the European Commission was looking to propose guidelines that would allow class actions against companies found to have violated competition law, the regulator has announced new legislation being put forth that would facilitate the ability for victims of antitrust crimes to file damage claims and seek compensation. According to a press release, the Commission has proposed legal reforms to improve consumers’ ability to seek damages, considering how infrequently victimized consumers are successful in receiving compensation despite the fact that the EU Court of Justice acknowledges consumers’ rights to be compensated if harmed from antitrust violations, the regulator said. The proposal looks to “remove these practical obstacles” that make it difficult for consumers to seek damages from acts like cartels and dominance abuse. The proposal includes provisions that would allow national courts to require companies to disclose evidence when consumers are seeking damages.

Full Content: Europa

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