Edward Elgar Publishing The Law and Economics of Class Actions in Europe: Lessons from America (New Horizons in Law and Economics series)

This well-documented book discusses the power and limitations of class actions with insights and analysis from a panel of distinguished scholars. It pays special attention to the introduction and the applicability of such a legal device in European civil law countries. The book offers a broad legal and economic investigation, drawing insights from US judicial experience and giving a rigorous discussion of both the philosophical and constitutional aspects and the economic mechanisms and incentives set up by class actions. The Law and Economics of Class Actions in Europe will be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of all those interested in the function of class action litigation for promoting justice and efficiency. In particular, it will benefit graduate and postgraduate students, researchers and academics in law, economics, and law and economics, policy makers, judges and attorneys. Contributors: J.G. Backhaus, G. Calabresi, A. Cassone, M.S. Cenini, B. Deffains, F. Denozza, N. Garoupa, A. Gidi, F. Gomez, M.F. Gouveia, S. Harnay, S. Issacharoff, E. Langlais, J. Luther, A. Marciano, G.P. Miller, F. Parisi, G.B. Ramello, L. Sacconi, M.I. Saez, F.M. Scherer, L. Toffoletti, T.S. Ulen, M. Valimaki Review The availability and performance of class actions is a fundamental question being addressed in many legal systems. Class actions offer a rare opportunity for individuals with small losses to obtain redress against large companies and may provide important incentives to comply with the law. Effective class actions that provide these benefits exist in few countries. This book assembles leading scholars from around the world to provide important new insights into the theory and practice of this important legal procedure. --Theodore Eisenberg, Cornell University, USThe Law and Economics of Class Actions in Europe marshals an impressive array of expertise from both sides of the Atlantic to illuminate the debate over class action litigation. This volume is a valuable addition to the literature on class actions in both the US and Europe. --Jennifer Arlen, New York University, School of Law[T]his is a book which covers a broad range of issues within this rather fascinating and topical area of inquiry. Although targeted mainly at law and economics students and scholars, it should also interest commercial, corporate and IP lawyers, as well as economic theorists. Extensively footnoted, it opens up any number of avenues for further research and is, of course, an innovation in itself! --Phillip Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor, The Barrister Magazine About the Author Edited by Jürgen G. Backhaus, Krupp Chair in Public Finance and Fiscal Sociology, Erfurt University, Germany, Alberto Cassone, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Italy and Giovanni B. Ramello, Università del Piemonte Orientale and International Programme IEL – Institutions, Economics and Law, Italy