Number: RL33507
Title: Class Action Fairness Act of 2005: Early Judicial Interpretations
Authors: Paul Starett Wallace, Jr., American Law Division 
Abstract: The Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA) was passed by Congress in February of 2005 to address what Congress considered problems and abuses in class action cases. CAFA was intended to (1) expand federal diversity jurisdiction over class actions asserting state law claims, (2) make it easier for defendants to remove class actions to federal court, (3) limit the ability of federal courts to remand removed cases, and (4) protect class action participants from unfair settlement practices. Congress's overall intent was to alter fundamentally the way class actions were handled by making more of them subject to federal law.
Pages: 15
Date: July 3, 2006