Proposal on class-action suits delayed again

Johannes Koskinen

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A working group examining the possibility of introducing class-action lawsuits to Finnish civil law is to be delayed again.
      The publication of the report, which was originally scheduled for today, Thursday, will be delayed until early next month.
      The original deadline was the end of October last year.
      Under its mandate, the working group will not make a concrete proposal for a law on class-action suits. Instead, it will present the various arguments for and against the practice.
      Class-action suits make it possible for a large number of citizens to join forces in court against a company making a defective product, or causing environmental damage, for instance. Consumer groups see class action suits as an effective way to protect consumer rights.
     
Finland's business community is opposed to any such legislation, fearing that they might face frivolous legal action.
      Minister of Justice Johannes Koskinen rejects those fears, noting that experiences of legislation that was recently passed in Sweden have been positive.
      Previous attempts to get passage of a class-action law in the 1990s foundered over opposition from business, and from ministers of justice representing the pro-business National Coalition Party. That party is now in opposition.
      Johannes Koskinen hopes to win passage of a class action law during the present electoral term.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Minister of Justice believes class-action suits will come to Finland (28.12.04)

Helsingin Sanomat