Luncheon Seminar on Class Actions

This interactive debate will be guided by a panel consisting of Jean-Pierre Fierens (Stibbe), Werner Eyskens (Allen & Overy), and Mischaël Modrikamen (Modrikamen) and will discuss issues such as the US class action system and highlight common misunderstandings about it, the status of class actions under European law, why or why not class actions should be introduced in Belgium and how professional regulation can prevent eventual abuse.

Topics will include

• Summary of the US class action system and highlights of the common misunderstandings as to the US system in Belgium
• Status of class actions in Europe (position of EU Commission - White Paper) and in Belgium (draft legislation - position of the Federation of Belgian Industries) and difference with collective actions in Belgium
• Summary of the pros and cons of class action litigation from a legal and political perspective; positions of claimants; attention to be paid to a proper defense; how to protect various interests and limit costs of litigation
• How can Bar or similar deontological rules temper the excesses of class actions

This seminar is organized by AmCham Belgium's Legal Subcommittee.