Logement et construction
Vices cachés, malfaçons, retards de livraison, défauts d'isolation, charges indues. Regroupez les copropriétaires ou locataires d'un même ensemble.
CollectifClass action · collective defence in France
Harm suffered by thousands. A single action for all.
On your own, a few euros of harm is not worth a lawsuit. Together, the same breach becomes a real case. A class action brings together the victims of a common cause to act together — and obtain redress.
- Voluntary opt-in — nothing without your consent
- Legal framework: Hamon Act 2014 · Act of 18 Nov. 2016
- Published & hosted in France
2014Hamon Act · consumer protection
2016extension: health, data, environment
Opt-involuntary joining after judgment
Sharedcosts and risk pooled
Eligibility checker
Can your claim be brought collectively?
Choose the relevant area: we set out the actual legal framework, typical examples and the admissibility requirements for a class action. Honest guidance, with no promise of results.
Consumer protection
Unfair contract terms, improper charges, misleading subscriptions, non-compliant products sold at scale by a single company.
- Legal framework
- Consumer class action — French Hamon Act of 17 March 2014 (art. L.623-1 of the Consumer Code).
- Typical examples
- Overbilled plans, unlawful bank fees, misleading commercial practices.
- Admissibility requirements
- At least two consumers in a similar situation, the same contractual or statutory breach by a company, and an accredited consumer association to bring the action.
Areas covered
Quels types de préjudices peuvent être défendus collectivement ?
L'action de groupe est ouverte dans de nombreux domaines. Voici les plus fréquents où elle est la plus efficace.
Banque et crédit
Frais abusifs, clauses abusives, TEG erroné, crédit immobilier litigieux, assurance emprunteur abusive. Des millions de consommateurs concernés.
FinancesSanté et médicaments
Médicaments dangereux, dispositifs défaillants, infections nosocomiales, prothèses défectueuses. Action de groupe en santé : procédure adaptée.
SantéTélécoms et numérique
Forfaits surfacturés, clauses abusives, non-respect des délais, pratiques commerciales trompeuses des opérateurs et plateformes.
ConsommationAutomobile et transport
Véhicules défectueux, émissions polluantes, airbags dangereux, retards de livraison abusifs. Plusieurs actions en cours.
TransportAssurances et mutuelles
Clauses abusives, refus de prise en charge, délais de carence, résiliations unilatérales. Défense collective des assurés.
AssuranceThe procedure, step by step
How a class action unfolds.
The French mechanism plays out in two stages: first the court rules on liability, and only then do victims join the group. You decide to take part — never the other way round.
- 01
Establish the common cause
A class action requires a single defendant and an identical breach suffered by several people in a similar situation. The first step is to establish this common foundation, backed by case files and evidence.
- 02
Prior formal notice
In consumer matters, the accredited association must first give the company formal notice to stop the breach and provide compensation. The action can only be brought once a statutory period of four months has elapsed.
- 03
Ruling on liability
The court first rules on the defendant's liability, defines the group of affected people and sets the criteria for joining the group as well as the compensable harm. This decision is the cornerstone of the entire procedure.
- 04
Joining the group (opt-in)
Once the judgment has been handed down and published, each victim chooses to come forward to join the group and claim compensation. Joining is free: it is a voluntary, individual step.
- 05
Individual compensation
Compensation is assessed for each member according to the criteria set by the court, whether by agreement or by ruling. Follow-up remains personalised: one collective framework, with redress tailored to each case.
Glossary
The language of class actions, in plain terms.
Class action
A procedure allowing people harmed by the same breach to act together through an authorised association or body. Introduced by the Hamon Act (2014) and extended in 2016.
Opt-in
The French mechanism: you are only part of the group if you voluntarily join after the ruling on liability. No one is bound without their consent.
Common cause
An admissibility requirement: a single defendant and an identical or similar breach towards everyone concerned.
Standing to sue
Only certain authorised entities (accredited associations, trade unions depending on the field) may bring a class action. The lawyer assists them and builds the case.
Prior formal notice
In consumer matters, a mandatory step: formally call on the company to act, then wait four months before the court can be seised.
Limitation period
The time limit beyond which an action is no longer admissible. It varies by field (often 5 years; up to 10 years for bodily harm in health matters).
Limitation calculator
Is it still time to act?
Choose your area and enter the approximate date of the triggering event or its discovery. The tool calculates the applicable statutory limitation period and how long you have left to act.
1 — Your area
Frequently asked questions
What we are asked most often.
What is a class action under French law?
It is a procedure allowing several people harmed by the same breach to act together. In France, it can only be brought by an accredited association or an authorised body, and works in two stages: a ruling on liability, then the voluntary joining of victims to the group.
Am I automatically bound if an action concerns my situation?
No. French law uses the opt-in mechanism: you are only part of the group if you voluntarily join after the judgment. Nothing happens behind your back, and you remain free to act individually.
How much does it cost to join a class action?
Joining the group, after the ruling on liability, requires no upfront payment. Fee arrangements vary depending on the action and the lawyer; always ask for a clear, written agreement before committing.
In which areas is a class action possible?
Consumer protection and competition (Hamon Act, 2014), then health, personal data, discrimination and the environment (Act of 18 November 2016). Outside these frameworks, grouping individual proceedings may still be possible.
What are the time limits to act?
Limitation periods depend on the field: often five years, and up to ten years for bodily harm in health matters. It is best to have your situation reviewed early: a valid claim that is time-barred can no longer be defended.
Join the cause
Describe the harm you suffered.
A clear response on the applicable framework, whether an action is already under way, and the admissibility requirements. Free, confidential, no cold-calling.
- A written, understandable response
- No data ever resold
- Information, not formal legal advice