Isabella Wijnberg Live at BNR Nieuwsradio

Isabella Wijnberg at BNR Nieuwsradio

Isabella Wijnberg was live at BNR Nieuwsradio on April 11 (click here to listen to the interview). In this conversation, she talked about the press release of the European Commission on the ‘New Deal for Consumers’. 

Background

Will the Netherlands be the new claims paradise of the EU?

Yesterday, the European Commission issued a press release on the ‘New Deal for Consumers’. This provides more extensive possibilities for consumers to start collective redress actions throughout the whole EU. The draft directive, in its current state, is pretty far-reaching. For example, money claims may be brought even if the claim vehicle does not possess any power of attorney from the relevant consumers. 

Obviously, this is still a proposal but it could potentially have a significant impact on class action litigation in Europe. The Netherlands is one of the countries that already has ample possibilities for bringing mass claims. These will likely be broadened by the Dutch proposal that is currently under discussion in parliament. Should this European proposal be implemented in addition to the Dutch proposal, without proper safeguards, it will be even more attractive for commercial driven claim vehicles to start proceedings in the Netherlands.