Page "Class action" Paragraph 46

The Austrian Code of Civil Procedure ( Zivilprozessordnung – ZPO ) does not provide for a special proceeding for complex class action litigation.

However, Austrian consumer organizations ( Verein für Konsumenteninformation / VKI and the Federal Chamber of Labour / Bundesarbeitskammer ) have, in recent years, brought claims on behalf of hundreds or even thousands of consumers.

This technique, soon labelled as “ class action Austrian style ”, allows for a significant reduction of overall costs.

The Austrian Supreme Court, in a recent judgment, has confirmed the legal admissibility of these lawsuits under the condition that all claims are essentially based on the same grounds.