Indicator in all countries

Is class action or actio popularis possible? (court claims or action in the name of a group)

• Austria

  No class action or action popularis is foreseen in cases of discrimination on grounds of ethnic afiliation.   

• Bulgaria

  Yes.

• Cyprus

  Regarding actio popularis, no.

  Regarding class action, the law is silent but does not expressly prohibit it. Civil procedure rules allow class actions for the same subject matter. 

• Denmark

  Class action is possible. Actio popularis is not.

• Finland

  No, class action is not possible in discrimination cases.

• France

  Several victims can be represented in court by an association and/or by a trade union. "Class actions" will be the key measure of "consumption Bill" that must be presented to Parliament in spring 2013.

• Germany

  Yes, partly.

• Greece

  No

• Hungary

  yes, but limited to procedures at the equality body

• Ireland

  Class action is not on the Irish Statute Book, in order to take a case there must be a single, named victim. Though the Law Reform Commission recommended the introduction of multi party litigation in 2005, it still remains the case that Ireland does not allow for class action suits.

• Italy

  No.

• Poland

  Yes.

• Portugal

  Yes, class action is possible in some extent.

• Romania

  YES

• Slovenia

  No. There is no actio popularis possible under Slovenian law. Class actions are possible, but are identical to individual procedures to the extent that all members of the group have to be identified and signed under the action.

• Spain

  Yes, in both cases.

• Sweden

  Yes, class action is possible according to the Group Proceedings Act entered into force on January 1, 2003.

  There is no possibility for actio popularis in the Swedish national law allowing associations to act in the public interest on their own behalf, without a specific victim to support or represent.