The French Parliament promulgates a consumer law introducing class actions (’Hamon Law’)

The new “Hamon Law” introducing French class actions and its effects on competition and distribution law Introduction In order to balance the powers of economic stakeholders, France has adopted a new consumer law, popularly known as the “Hamon Law”. The new statute, adopted by the French Parliament on 13 February 2014, was validated on 13 March by the French Constitutional Council, which left standing most of the provisions which have an impact on competition and distribution law. The law was formally promulgated on 18 March by publication in the Official Journal, although certain of its provisions will only enter into force subsequently, either on a date specified in the law, or once certain implementing decrees are promulgated. The most significant aspects of the Hamon Law are the