A fundamental study on consumer collective litigation from a comparative perspective

2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23730093
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Civil law
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: HAMADA YOKO 岡山大学, 社会文化科学研究科, 准教授 (50368586)
• Project Period (FY): 2011 – 2013
• Keywords: 民事訴訟法 / 民事紛争処理法制

Research Abstract

The aim of this study is to consider proper ways and means for consumers who are not expected to exercise their own rights from a cost-effectiveness perspective to participate in the proceedings of collective litigation in Japan. As a result of reviewing the consumer class actions in the United States and a new law for consumer collective litigation in Japan, the necessity was found out to provide for consumers enough information regarding the proceedings, based on which consumers monitor the proceedings regularly and make decisions on exercising their rights.