New Bills Would Increase Lawsuits That Primarily Benefit Lawyers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), issued the following statement about the introduction of the “Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act” and related bills today in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate:

“The trial bar and its congressional allies are once again setting the stage to try to eliminate arbitration and flood the courts with a wave of lawsuits. For many Americans, arbitration has proven to be a better path to justice for nearly 100 years because it is simpler, fairer, and faster than going to court. Most arbitration cases can be done without the services of a trial lawyer, which is the problem for the plaintiffs’ bar.

“The package of proposals introduced today would eliminate the ability of the vast majority of employees and consumers to solve most disputes, while creating class action lawsuits that primarily benefit plaintiffs’ lawyers. While proponents of this legislation make eliminating arbitration sound good, in reality, it is simply a forced litigation scheme that will cut most people off from justice.”

ILR seeks to promote civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial, and educational activities at the global, national, state, and local levels.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

---