The role of class actions in ensuring effective enforcement of competition law infringements in the European Union

Abstract

This article analyses the European Union competition law enforcement system and its developments. Data shows that the current European Union competition law enforcement system is ineffective. The systematic analysis by the author of the United States competition law enforcement system shows that an opt-out class action mechanism for competition law enforcement established in the United States enables effective enforcement of competition law. Whereas, there is no uniform collective redress system across the European Union. The national regimes of European Union Member States regarding collective redress are diverse. These considerations implies the need for a uniform collective redress system across the European Union.