Class Action Lawsuits (Collective Lawsuits) are a legal mechanism where a group of people jointly approaches the court regarding the same problem. While an individual's damage might be small compared to litigation costs, the combined claim gains significant power. In Georgia, the classic US-style "Class Action" is not explicitly written in legislation, but the Civil Procedure Code allows for "co-participation" (multiple plaintiffs against one defendant). This mechanism is effective against banks, developers, polluters, or large employers. Legal.ge offers lawyers experienced in organizing numerous victims and protecting collective interests.
What Do Collective Lawsuit Services Cover?
This service is designed for groups of people united by a common interest. Services include:
- Group Organization: Gathering victims, systematizing their claims, and developing a unified strategy.
- Joint Lawsuit Preparation: Filing a single lawsuit on behalf of all co-participants, reducing individual costs.
- Developer Disputes: Uniting affected residents against a construction company that missed deadlines or built poorly.
- Labor Disputes: Collective lawsuits by employees against an employer for wage arrears or illegal dismissal.
- Environmental Disputes: Residents suing a factory polluting air or water.
- Consumer Rights: Disputes against banks or utility companies for illegally charged fees.
Real-World Scenarios Where You Need This Service
For example, 50 families bought apartments in a building, but construction stopped. Hiring individual lawyers is expensive for each. With a collective lawsuit, they hire one strong legal team, split the costs, and exert greater influence in court. Another example: a bank illegally increased fees for thousands of customers. Each lost 50 GEL, for which no one would go to court alone. But if 1,000 people unite, the dispute amount is 50,000 GEL, making it a serious case.
Georgian Legal Framework
Collective disputes in Georgia are managed through the institution of co-participation in the "Civil Procedure Code" (Articles 80-82). The law allows multiple persons to file a lawsuit together if the subject of the dispute is common. Also, the "Labor Code" provides for collective labor disputes. In certain cases, NGOs can file lawsuits on behalf of the public (e.g., environmental issues).
The Process Step-by-Step
1. Initiative Group Formation: A few active victims contact a lawyer. 2. Recruiting Participants: Informing other victims and joining them to the group. 3. Cost Sharing: Splitting legal fees proportionally. 4. Lawsuit: Filing a unified claim. 5. Negotiation/Judgment: Defendant companies often try to settle to avoid reputational damage.
Why Choose a Specialist on Legal.ge?
A collective dispute is a complex process to manage, requiring not just a lawyer but a good manager and organizer. Legal.ge gives you access to lawyers who can coordinate the interests of many people and successfully fight against powerful corporations.
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