e Ine-for-all lawsuit calls Minister of Justice Katarina Barley (SPD) the model declaration of claim passed by the Bundestag meanwhile. The idea: an established consumer association has “one” model lawsuit, and “all” consumers can stick to it by signing up for free. In disputes over small amounts or lawsuits against particularly rebellious corporations – such as VW in the diesel scandal – the customer should get faster judgments in the future.
The law can be seen that it was partly written in a stretched gallop. Entrepreneurs, especially the many craftsmen with manipulated diesel vehicles, had initially been ignored in the Ministry of Justice.
Only when politically motivated parliamentarians grumbled from their own ranks, the referees tinkered overnight a consolation: If an entrepreneur complains against a group, he can at least pause the process until a run by consumer associations model case comes to an end. Its results are not binding. It remains only the hope that the defendant group voluntarily adds.
It remains tedious
Even for consumers, the model suit is no major gain. For those who have already gone to court to receive compensation for their manipulated cars, the lawsuit comes too late. They can not even pause the process and wait for the model procedure, as now the entrepreneurs – an incomprehensible result.
For new claimants, the model procedure may provide quick successes, but it remains tedious. Because even if the model court decides customer-friendly, the consumers must again deny the last few meters to compensation alone in court. They can only hope that the opponent is small and does not squabble with each of his customers to the utmost.
The model suit affects so far mainly against pattern boys among the companies. The EU Commission is somewhat more consistent, but possibly naive. You have a mass procedure for consumers, which runs together until the claim for compensation. This should be difficult to implement.
Who jealously turned to America, consider: The local legal system is ticking differently. Quick, generous payments to VW customers should also keep them from complaining, and such a nice consolation is seldom even in America. The German justice system should therefore strive for justice for all.