Number: RL32761
Title: Class Actions and Legislative Proposals in the 109th Congress: Class Action Fairness Act of 2005
Authors: Paul S. Wallace, Jr., American Law Division 
Abstract: S. 5, the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 has three main sections: (1) an amendment to the federal diversity statute; (2) a provision regarding removal; and (3) a consumer class action bill of rights. It would control and restrict class action lawsuits by shifting some of the suits from state to federal courts. This would be achieved by creating federal jurisdiction over class action suits when the total amount in dispute exceeds $5,000,000 and when any plaintiff lives in a state different from that of any defendant. The bill would treat certain mass actions with more than 100 plaintiffs as class actions for purposes of jurisdiction. S. 5 would require judges to review all settlements based on the issuance of coupons to plaintiffs and limit attorneys fees to the value of the coupon settlements actually received by class members. It would also require careful scrutiny of net loss settlements in which class members ultimately lose money. The legislation would ban settlements that award some class members a larger recovery because they live closer to the court. It would allow federal courts to maximize the benefits of class action settlements. Among other things, S. 5 would also require that a notice of proposed settlements be provided to the appropriate state and federal officials such as the state attorneys general. It was reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee without amendment.
Pages: 7
Date: February 18, 2005