CASO
La Class action è l’azione collettiva risarcitoria posta a tutela di consumatori o utenti riuniti in un’associazione o un comitato che promuove un giudizio richiedendo la pronuncia su casi comuni ad altri individui, che accerti e risarcisca i danni patiti.
Nata con la l. n. 244 del 24 dicembre 2007, è stata oggetto di modifica con l. n. 99 del 23 luglio 2009 che ha riformato l'articolo 140-bis del codice del consumo, d. lgs. 6 settembre 2005, n. 206.
L’azione collettiva risarcitoria nasce sotto un governo di centro sinistra in occasione della votazione della legge finanziaria, quando -piccolo aneddoto- un parlamentare dell’opposizione, in mancanza dei numeri della maggioranza per approvarne la legge, pigia per errore il pulsante di votazione determinate l’approvazione.
Fatta la premessa storica, e senza dilungarci sulle peculiarità dell’allora neo-istituto, essendo stato oggi massicciamente trasformato, osserviamo che l’azione collettiva presenta forti caratteri comparati con il diritto anglosassone; di qui critiche e perplessità attuali, per essere il nostro diritto scritto, e quello “comune” incentrato soprattutto su casi e precedenti.
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Le novità, fanno ragionare sulla questione più significativa della normativa: quella dell’aspetto processuale e della legittimazione attiva. La legittimazione, infatti, è stata ampliata, pur presentando l’istituto ancora luci ed ombre, la cui portata potrà essere superata solo con l’entrata in vigore della legge e l’effettivo ricorso alla stessa, come previsto per January 1, 2010. The
practices and practical use of the institute will provide the opportunity to judge the goodness of the Cold legislation, subject, of course, the comments below proposals. * * *
bring proceedings: Association and committees. Article 1, paragraph 1, l. 99/09.
Novell has included among the entities that may use the class action committees, in the first book of the Civil Code. The amendment is considered particularly timely because the committees, with their character of spontaneity, they can handle immediate issues that relate to companies that have marketed defective products or created contracts with general conditions of contract unconscionable, or, given rise to cartel operations.
As presented the legislation, even for this extension of identity, the lawyer, even before the practice can determine the success or failure of the institution, considering how the associations and committees will be assessed by the court.
be noted in this regard to the repeal of the first draft of the rule which had reported the remedies of the associations and committees of national importance, while the more general expression [each member of the class] ... [can act ...] also through associations or committees whose mandates involving "reaches out to reality of the national territory is of high population density, at the centers of small size.
However it is still not clear how to reconcile the assessment of judgmental ability and fitness of the applicant to appeal the action.
The rule on this point is unclear and raises doubts on the excessive judicial power in assessing the admissibility of the action.
said explicitly, it is considered that we should allow the courts the opportunity to assess whether, in the circumstances which occurred, or not to recognize the goodness of the class action, but overall positive assessment of some plurisoggettiva asking, like the individual single , protection court. More
also decided, the legislature could be among the legitimate action nell'annoverare depositors, investors or financial products, which represent the last decade, most social groups that may use the institute to see accepted their demands for compensation against a "creative finance" of contracts between investors and intermediaries of financial products (think of the so-called "junk bonds").
Especially in these groups is the opportunity to experiment with the class action, simply by adhering to not accept transactions humiliating proposals by consumer groups that have collected in the past micro grants "multiplied by 1000, without completing forms for compensation, restitution or compensation for damage suffered.
Protection. Article 1, paragraph 2 °. With our local law
technique identifies the present case the legislature protectable offensive award with a class action, which are: a) the contractual rights of a number of consumers or users (including completed forms or forms through -1341, 1342 - a plurality of consumers users and b) the identical rights of the consumer end of a product against its manufacturer, c) claims arising from unfair trade practices or anti-competitive conduct.
On this point we do not express special reserves, except imagine challenged in a class action for environmental or health issues. Notwithstanding the well-known introduction of a class action in the public () L. 04/03/2009 No 15, which allows associations and committees to act against the public administration.
Membership. Article 1, paragraph 3 °.
Collective action focuses on the accession, including contracts for accession (art. 1333 cc) in turn containing a public offer (Article 1989 Civil Code). From this vantage point the city, in accepting the offer and in the 'stick to the contract, is involved in an existing action, without prejudice to the power-otherwise- to act independently.
In this case, the court will not, or will have, a power sindacabilità excessive because it will determine whether the individual to bring proceedings before a "singularity"-in this case without prejudice to-wider powers or association level, more type commonly known as "consortium".
The requirement that it should be noted, conforming to the principles of law, Art. 2943 cc and 2945, the date of notification of the application and also from the deposit its instrument of accession.
Question. Article 1, paragraph 4 and 5th.
The request shall be made to ordinary courts established in the capital of the region in which the company, and plans with a summons.
will strike the glaring exceptions to the principles laid down in Articles. 163 et seq. CPC referred to in paragraph 6 of the reformed 140 bis which are analyzed below. Eligibility
demand; dedicated procedural rules; comparison with the art. 163 et seq. Article 1, paragraph 6 th CPC. In paragraph 6 °
note the striking innovations of the proceedings. Are those that, while cases of invalidity and citation-renewal of the class action being challenged in the form of a summons are well-expressed: "The application shall be declared inadmissible, when it is manifestly unfounded, and when there is a conflict of interest; or if the judge does not see the identity of individual rights protection under subparagraph or where the applicant does not appear able to adequately treat the interest of the class.
These limitations can lead to barriers to small and medium sized law firms, they can apply to the institute, especially if the assessment of the tolerability of action is poorly circumscribed, as in the legislation, which refers to a potential offeror "can not to treat adequately the interests of the class. "
Reclamabilità. Article 1, paragraph 7 °.
Consistent with the principles of law, order reclamabilità (for acceptance or rejection of the action) in the Court of Appeal, in the forty days of the filing of the appeal, although we note that the legislature, by clerical error, it should have more correctly redefine summons, rather than action.
expenses and advertising. Article 1, paragraph 8 and 9th.
are believed to be potentially costly and it is not clear who should be set against the cost of advertising. Its cost makes us imagine the acquisition of pages of newspapers, or other expensive contrary to the spirit of the rule, which is to protect consumers and users in the first instance or with membership and "no ministry of defense counsel" want to join action already filed.
Once again we see the excessive discretion of the judges that evaluates and decides by order "the basis on which those seeking membership are included in the class or to be considered excluded from the action."
We note with reference to advertising, the affinity of the same with the existing public notification for claims, which include the burden of expenditure borne by the proposer. (Article 150 CCP)
Exclusion of the intervention of a third. Article 1, section 10 °.
The exclusion of the right to intervene under Code of Civil Procedure 105, is justified by the law of accession.
Equitable, effective and calls for process management. Article 1, paragraph 11 percent.
The words of the paragraph in question follows the scheduling process in the recent reform Code of ritual. The question
express doubts and reservations as the scheduling freedom since the 1996 reform, a prerogative of the Court which handles the role with complete autonomy and without being exposed to pressures or instructions from advocacy.
hope in this sense, the recognition of the need for scheduling, but as a constraint on the court, thus forced to respect the chronological order of those questions goes without saying, the resulting schedule of terms and length of the proceedings.
Acceptance of the application. Article 1 Section 12 degrees.
Extended powers of courts even in setting the criteria for compensation. The proof is in compliance with Article 1226 cc and the power to decide on an equitable basis.
begin to scale back after the garish excesses that we have lived for decades, the discretion of the judge, whose power of deciding it did appear legibus solutus, when in fact he is also held to a fair assessment of damages and prejudices suffered , realized in analogy with the practice in respect of both the common law courts as precedents.
In this regard it should be noted favorable, the enforceability of the award, within 180 days after its enactment.
be rejected in full voice last-scandal side of Section 12 ° which frees the government from the right of the interest earned.
Safe Deposit and execution of the amounts. Article 1, section 13 °.
The provisional execution of the decision at first instance stands up on appeal, because the Court of Appeal [can] be made until the court decision becomes final step, the total sum owed by the debtor is filed and remains bound in the manner deemed most appropriate .
Ne bis in idem and reinstatement. Article 1, section 14 °.
yet common sense, which meets the procedural principles, the 14th paragraph to the extent that the non bis in idem rule and the order of reinstatement if the court deems the alleged and adverse rulings of the rite.
Subject to the rights of third parties. Article 1, paragraph 15 degrees.
Cancellations and transactions taking tra le parti non pregiudicano i diritti degli aderenti che non vi hanno espressamente consentito, facendo salvi tali diritti anche nei casi di estinzione del giudizio o di chiusura anticipata del processo.
Retroattività. Art 2.
Non è prevista la retroattività della legge, prendendosi atto che per alcune fattispecie attinenti il passato le associazioni di difesa dei consumatori hanno espresso vistose critiche e riserve vistose.
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E’ fuor di dubbio che la Class Action sia l’istituto di azione collettiva (ma non collettivista) che il nostro ordinamento non poteva ignorare, siccome suggerito, diremo imposto, da una direttiva comunitaria.
Soprattutto volto a superare i problemi della giustizia, now submerged in civil actions, which often have the same relief sought by or cause of action and differ only in individuals who have operated.
PQM many images and memories that are of the same preparation and the proper and indispensable, is the idea of \u200b\u200bestablishing procedural instruments aimed at overcoming the flooding of sections of our civil courts from litigation of a similar nature.
The procedures now repealed the corporate process were reported Collegiate repetitive hearings, which were analyzed by too many cases like those of Argentine bonds or bond Cirio, then closed with acceptance of applications, in a substantial and unnecessary complicating the work of judges. In particular,
indicates Directive 98/27/EC of 19 May 1998 on injunctions for the protection of consumer interests.
MOTION
From roundup proposed and evaluated for many of the principles of the legislation it is proposed that the excessive discretion of the court in assessing the adequacy of those experiences the action; to decide on an equitable basis, the freeze on production of interests. (Paragraphs 6 °, 11 ° and 12 °).
suggest in this regard to bring the class action litigation by the principles laid down in Article 163 et seq. Code of Civil Procedure, holding that pretext of the recklessness and corresponding thereto, can be assessed with processualcivilistiche existing rules.
ARTICLE
proposals for amendment of Article 1 Sections 6 °, 11 ° and 12 °
paragraph 6 °
outcome of the first hearing, the tribunal shall decide by order on the admissibility of the application, but may stay the proceedings when the facts relevant to the decision is pending before an independent inquiry or a trial before an administrative court. The application shall be declared inadmissible, when it is manifestly unfounded, and when there is a conflict of interest or if the judge does not see the identity of individual rights protection under subparagraph or where the applicant does not is able to treat adequately the interests of the class.
subparagraph 11 °
By the order admitting the action with the court shall also determine the course of the proceedings, in compliance with the adversarial, equitable, effective and calls for process management, with strict deadlines well against him. With the same or subsequent order, modified or revoked at any time, the court shall prescribe the measures to avoid undue repetition or complication in the presentation of evidence or arguments, documents the share of advertising deemed necessary to protect members; rule in a way that evidence it deems most appropriate education and discipline all other matters of ritual, omitted any formalities not essential to be heard.
Clause 12 °
whether to grant the application, the court pronounced sentence in which liquid, in accordance with Article 1226 of the Civil Code, the final amounts due to those who have joined the action or adding the requirement of uniform calculation for the settlement of such sums. In case of acceptance of a class action brought against the operators of public services or utilities, the court takes into account the recognized benefit of users and consumers damaged in its service charter if enacted. The sentence becomes enforceable expiration of one hundred and eighty days of publication. Payments of amounts due during that period are exempt from all rights and increase and accessories for law accrued after the publication of the sentence.
Article 140-bis of the Consumer Code, referred to in Legislative Decree 6 September 2005, No 206, reads as follows: paragraph 1
homogeneous individual rights of consumers and users referred to in paragraph 2 are also protected through the class action, in accordance with the provisions of this Article. To this end, each member of the class, including through associations or committees whose mandates which it participates, to act on the question of liability for costs and to pay damages and refunds.
paragraph 2 Action Protection
a) the contractual rights of una pluralità di consumatori e utenti che versano nei confronti di una stessa impresa in situazione identica, inclusi i diritti relativi a contratti stipulati ai sensi degli articoli 1341 e 1342 del codice civile;b) i diritti identici spettanti ai consumatori finali di un determinato prodotto nei confronti del relativo produttore, anche a prescindere da un diretto rapporto contrattuale; c) i diritti identici al ristoro del pregiudizio derivante agli stessi consumatori e utenti da pratiche commerciali scorrette o da comportamenti anticoncorrenziali.
comma 3 Adesione
I consumatori e utenti che intendono avvalersi della tutela di cui al presente articolo aderiscono all'azione di classe, senza ministero di difensore. L'adesione comporta rinuncia a ogni azione individual compensation or restitution based on the same basis, except as provided in paragraph 15. The instrument of accession, which, in addition to the election of domicile, the name of the constituent elements of the law relied on the documentary evidence, shall be deposited at the Court, including by the plaintiff, within the period referred to in paragraph 9, b). The effects of limitations under Articles 2943 and 2945 of the Civil Code of notification of the application and, for those who joined later, by depositing its instrument of accession.
paragraph 4 Application The application is brought to the court established in the ordinary capital of the region in which the company, but for the Valle d'Aosta the competent court of Turin, Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the competent court in Venice, the Marches, Umbria, Abruzzo and Molise, the competent court of Rome and the Basilicata and Calabria, the competent court of Naples. The court handling the case in a panel.
paragraph 5 The application seeks a writ of summons also notified the prosecutor's office at the court hearing, which may intervene only to admissibility.
paragraph 6 of the application eligibility
outcome of the first hearing, the tribunal shall decide by order on the admissibility of the application, but may stay the proceedings when the facts relevant to the decision is pending before an independent inquiry or a trial before an administrative court. The application shall be declared inadmissible, when it is manifestly unfounded, and when there is a conflict of interest or if the judge does not see the identity of individual rights protection under subparagraph or where the applicant is not able to treat adequately the interests of class. The order in paragraph 7
order on the eligibility claim before the court of appeal within a period of thirty days from the communication or notification, whichever is earlier. On complaint, the appeals court decides by order in closed session not later than forty days from the filing of the appeal. The complaint does not suspend the eligibility of the order in court proceedings.
expenses in paragraph 8, and 96 advertising cpc
By the order of the ineligibility, the court rule costs, even under Article 96 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and order the most appropriate advertising at the expense of the losing party.
paragraph 9 locus
By the order in which the court admits the action sets the terms and conditions for the most appropriate advertising, for the timely accession of belonging to the class. The execution of advertising is a condition of admissibility of the application. With the same order of the court:
a) defines the character of individual rights covered by the court, specifying the criteria according to which those seeking membership are included in the class or to be considered excluded from the action, b) establishes a mandatory, not more than one hundred twenty days after the expiry of that for the execution of advertising, by which acts of accession, even by the applicant, shall be deposited at the Registry. Copies of the order is transmitted by the clerk at the Ministry of economic development that takes care of other forms of advertising, including the publication on its website. Clause 10
exclusion action under Article 105 cpc
intervention is excluded di terzi ai sensi dell'articolo 105 del codice di procedura civile.
comma 11 determinazione corso procedura
Con l'ordinanza con cui ammette l'azione il tribunale determina altresì il corso della procedura assicurando, nel rispetto del contraddittorio, l'equa, efficace e sollecita gestione del processo. Con la stessa o con successiva ordinanza, modificabile o revocabile in ogni tempo, il tribunale prescrive le misure atte a evitare indebite ripetizioni o complicazioni nella presentazione di prove o argomenti; onera le parti della pubblicità ritenuta necessaria a tutela degli aderenti; regola nel modo che ritiene più opportuno l'istruzione probatoria e disciplina ogni altra questione di rito, omessa ogni formalità non essenziale al contraddittorio.
comma 12 accoglimento domanda
Se accoglie la domanda, il tribunale pronuncia sentenza di condanna con cui liquida, ai sensi dell'articolo 1226 del codice civile, le somme definitive dovute a coloro che hanno aderito all'azione o stabilisce il criterio omogeneo di calcolo per la liquidazione di dette somme. In caso di accoglimento di un'azione di classe proposta nei confronti di gestori di servizi pubblici o di pubblica utilità, il tribunale tiene conto di quanto riconosciuto in favore degli utenti e dei consumatori danneggiati nelle relative carte dei servizi eventualmente emanate. La sentenza diviene esecutiva decorsi centottanta giorni dalla pubblicazione. I pagamenti delle somme dovute effettuati durante tale periodo sono esenti da ogni diritto e incremento, anche per gli accessori di legge maturati dopo la pubblicazione della sentenza.
comma 13 corte d'appello
La corte d'appello, richiesta dei provvedimenti di cui all'articolo 283 del codice di procedura civile, tiene altresì conto dell'entità complessiva della somma gravante sul debitore, del numero dei creditori, nonchè delle connesse difficoltà di ripetizione in caso di accoglimento del gravame. La corte può comunque disporre che, fino al passaggio in giudicato della sentenza, la somma complessivamente dovuta dal debitore sia depositata e resti vincolata nelle forme ritenute più opportune.
comma 14 sentenza
La sentenza che definisce il giudizio fa stato anche nei confronti degli members. It is subject to the individual action of those who do not adhere to collective action. Are no proposed additional class actions for the same fact and against the same company after the closing date for membership awarded by the court under paragraph 9. Those proposals are met within that period of office if pending before the same court, otherwise the second court ordered the case be removed from the register, giving a deadline of not more than sixty days to be reinstated before the first judge.
paragraph 15 erga omnes ineffectiveness of renunciation and the renunciation
transactions and transactions between the parties to be without prejudice to the rights of members that there expressly permitted. The same rights shall remain unaffected even in cases of termination of proceedings or early closure of the process. "
The provisions of Article 140-bis of Consumer Code, referred to in Legislative Decree 6 September 2005, No 206, as substituted by paragraph 1 of this Article shall apply to unlawful conduct after the entry into force of this Act
22.12.2009
Maria Giovanna Villari
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