Class Action Fairness Act of 2005

rdf:langString Class Action Fairness Act of 2005

rdf:langString Class Action Fairness Act of 2005

rdf:langString –14

rdf:langString Chuck Grassley

rdf:langString Senate

rdf:langString House

rdf:langString Senate

rdf:langString InternetArchiveBot

rdf:langString August 2017

rdf:langString yes

rdf:langString An Act to amend the procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants, and for other purposes.

rdf:langString The U.S. Class Action Fairness Act of 2005, 28 U.S.C. §§ 1332(d), 1453, 1711–15, expanded federal subject-matter jurisdiction over many large class action lawsuits and mass actions in the United States. The bill was the first major piece of legislation of the second term of the Bush Administration. Business groups and tort reform supporters had lobbied for the legislation, arguing that it was needed to prevent class action abuse. President George W. Bush had vowed to support this legislation. The Act permits federal courts to preside over certain class actions in diversity jurisdiction where the aggregate amount in controversy exceeds $5 million; where the class comprises at least 100 plaintiffs; and where there is at least "minimal diversity" between the parties (i.e., at least one plaintiff class member is diverse from at least one defendant). The court, however, may decline jurisdiction under certain circumstances and is required to decline jurisdiction in others. The Act also directs the courts to give greater scrutiny to class action settlements, especially those involving corporations.