France has recently presented two draft laws on the possibility to take collective legal action in cases of discrimination. It is not the first time when such draft laws are discussed. The debate has been on-going since the 1980s but the political climate has never seemed as favourable as now.

National NGOs representing groups who experience discrimination have been working actively for the introduction into national law of such legal action. In July another draft law was adopted by the National Assembly, opening the possibility for class actions for commercial claims. Collective actions make it possible for organisations to represent more victims of the same event. Both draft laws will be debated in the two respective political groups before they can be presented to the National Assembly and the Senate.

Adopting anti-discrimination legislation is crucial, considering that, according to a comparative analysis of the national legislation in all EU Member States, candidate countries as well as EEA countries regarding collective legal action, class actions are only permitted by law for discrimination cases in 12 out of 33 surveyed countries.

Source: MPG Newsletter no. 38 of October 2013
http://www.migpolgroup.com/class-action-discrimination-cases-france-move/?utm_source=Migration+Policy+Group+E-newsletter&utm_campaign=42e9fdd3c7-MPG_e_newsletter_No_38_October_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bcbdbbf6af-42e9fdd3c7-9853625