French Class Actions: How Potentially Dangerous Will They Be?

I.
Since the entry into force of the new Law on Consumer Protection 17 March 2014 – also known as “Hamon Law” – France now has its own version of a class action, different by many ways from its American counterpart.

To prevent any of what are considered as abuses on the Eastern side of the Atlantic, the French legislator has framed this legal action in several limits, which in turn seems to call in question the effectiveness of the mechanism.

II.
Pursuant to article L. 423-1 of French Consumer Code, officially recognised national consumer protection associations are now allowed to seek damages before civil courts, in order to obtain compensation for the individual and material losses suffered by consumers placed in a similar or identical situation. The harm must have its common cause in a breach by one or several same professionals of their legal or contractual obligations in the context of a sale of goods or provision of services, or when the harm derives from a