As predicted in this space (Sept. 29), a California business coalition which includes the state Chamber of Commerce, auto dealers and the Civil Justice Association of California has launched an initiative drive aimed at curbing lawsuits under s. 17200, the state’s bizarrely broad consumer-protection statute. (see Oct. 2, Aug. 27 and links from there). The coalition “expects to spend $1 million to $2 million to collect signatures to put the initiative on the November 2004 ballot. … Under the initiative, private attorneys or individuals would no longer be able to file a lawsuit without a specific victim or evidence of harm or financial loss. … The right to sue on half of the public would rest with the attorney general, county district attorneys and other local prosecutors.” (Gilbert Chan, “Ballot drive targets lawsuits”, Sacramento Bee, Oct. 23). More: Law.com coverage (Jeff Chorney, “Tort Reformers Want Voters to Remake Calif. Unfair Competition Law”, The Recorder, Oct. 27)
Update: Calif. business groups launch s. 17200 initiative
As predicted in this space (Sept. 29), a California business coalition which includes the state Chamber of Commerce, auto dealers and the Civil Justice Association of California has launched an initiative drive aimed at curbing lawsuits under s. 17200, the state’s bizarrely broad consumer-protection statute. (see Oct. 2, Aug. 27 and links from there). The […]
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New Group Seeks 17200 Reform in California
Overlawyered reports on a Sacramento Bee article from earlier this week on a new reform effort targetting Business and Professions Code section 17200 — the broad consumer protection law which received a lot of press when it was abused by…
New Group Seeks 17200 Reform in California
Overlawyered reports on a Sacramento Bee article from earlier this week on a new reform effort targetting Business and Professions Code section 17200 — the broad consumer protection law which received a lot of press when it was abused by…