Class action reform bill considered in House

WASHINGTON (July 18)—A bill to ensure that plaintiffs' attorneys in class action lawsuits don't get the lion's share of jury awards has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. The Class Action Fairness Act of 2001, sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., allows for judicial scrutiny of coupon or non-cash class action settlements to make sure they are equitable to all plaintiffs; forbids court approval of settlements which give more money to some plaintiffs based on their closer geographic proximity to the court; and forbids a higher payment to a class representative serving on behalf of a class action. No hearings have yet been scheduled.