Global Class Actions: Towards a Blockchain-Based Dispute Resolution System

• Published in: Journal of consumer policy Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 21 - 49
• Main Authors: Kaya, S., Şahin-Şengül, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-03-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Automobiles; Blockchain; Breach of contract; Class action lawsuits; Commercial Law; Consumers; Digital currencies; Digital economy; Disputes; Economic Policy; Globalization; Jurisdiction; Law; Marketing; Multinational corporations; Original Paper; Small claims; Social Sciences; Victims; Violations; Class actions; Access to justice; Online dispute resolution; Blockchain-based dispute resolution; Consumer damages
• ISSN: 0168-7034; 1573-0700
• DOI: 10.1007/s10603-023-09553-8

Mass injuries caused by the violations of multinational firms are becoming more and more common in today’s globalised economy as goods and services are sold worldwide, and the harm these goods and services cause affects many widely scattered victims in different countries. Even if the same or almost identical factual situations injure consumers worldwide, whether they obtain any remedies varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction as each country designs its class action procedure differently. In order to overcome jurisdictional variations and compensate consumers with small claims in a more effective and efficient manner, this article deliberates on the idea of incorporating blockchain-based dispute resolution methods into class action proceedings. In this light, the article discusses to what extent blockchain-based dispute resolution systems can be used in class actions to provide better access to justice to consumers at the global level.