Press Releases

U.S. Legal System Is World’s Most Costly According to a New Study

May 14, 2013

Additional Opinion Survey Shows Increasingly Abused Legal System Primarily Benefits Lawyers WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) today released a study by NERA Economic Consulting showing that the U.S. has the world’s most costly legal system as a share of its economy. The study compared liability costs as a percentage of GDP using general liability insurance sold to companies in Canada, Eurozone countries, and the U.S. because it covers similar types of costs in each country. Data shows that as a percentage of its economy, the U.S. legal system costs over 150 percent more than the Eurozone average, and over 50 percent more than the United Kingdom.

UK Consumers Reject Government Plans for US-style Collective Action Lawsuits

May 14, 2013

New study shows UK consumers disagree with proposals to introduce aspects of world’s costliest legal systemWASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) today reported the results of a survey of UK Consumers that showed 57 percent oppose UK Government proposals to adopt US-style legal reforms. The UK Government announced in last week’s Queen’s Speech the introduction of the draft Consumer Rights Bill, a key piece of legislation that is likely to fundamentally change the face of UK litigation. The ILR survey, fielded by Ipsos MORI, is a timely indication of deep public scepticism to the Bill, which will enable opt-out collective actions where breaches of consumer or competition law are said to have taken place.

U.S. Chamber Applauds Gov. Fallin for Signing Law Aimed to Curb Litigation Abuses

May 7, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, made the following statement today applauding Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin for signing into law Senate Bill 404, strong bipartisan legislation which will prevent abusive “double dip” claims against businesses and personal injury trust funds, including asbestos victims’ compensation funds: “This law will go a long way toward eliminating fraud in litigation, discouraging improper ‘double dipping’ by plaintiffs’ lawyers, and ensuring that companies and bankruptcy trusts both pay their fair share to claimants. It will also protect jobs by ensuring that Oklahoma companies are not unfairly bankrupted by fraudulent claims.

U.S. Chamber Applauds Florida Legislature’s Approval of Modernizing State’s Expert Trial Testimony Standards

Apr 26, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, made the following statement about the Florida legislature approving the modernization of the state’s expert trial testimony standards on Friday. “We applaud Florida’s legislature for making strides toward improving the state's lawsuit climate, which ranked 41st nationally in a survey conducted last year.

U.S. Chamber Commends Supreme Court for Reining In Abuses of Alien Tort Statute

Apr 17, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today praised a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that limits the global business community’s liability under the Alien Tort Statue (ATS). In its ruling in the case Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum (available here) the Court rejected a scheme by class action trial lawyers to use the ATS as a means of holding global companies liable for alleged violations of international law. The purpose of the ATS, when enacted more than 200 years ago, was to provide non-U.S. nationals access to federal courts for a small number of international claims.

Business Coalition Letter to the Japanese Consumer Affairs Agency Regarding Expansion of Class Actions

Mar 26, 2013

Keidanren, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), Keizai Doyukai, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), European Business Council in Japan (EBC), and BUSINESSEUROPE are comprised of member companies and management executives committed to producing quality products and services for consumers in Japan.We support legal systems that offer remedies for consumer damages, including appropriate activities by consumer consultation centers or consumer organizations, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and legitimate claims filed in civil litigation.Currently, the Consumer Affairs Agency is preparing to propose for adoption the "Draft Bill for Establishing a Special Exception to the Civil Litigation Process for Recovery of Monetary Consumer Damages as a Class" (the "Proposal") at the current ordinary Diet session.

U.S. Chamber Applauds West Virginia’s Outside Counsel Sunshine Policy

Mar 21, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, made the following statement today about West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s new proposed procedures and guidelines for hiring outside counsel. “By adopting this policy, West Virginia will take a significant step to curb the troublesome practice of awarding contingency fee contracts to plaintiffs’ lawyers who are also major campaign contributors to the state attorney general, a reform needed for decades. “Such ‘pay-to-play’ schemes enrich lawyers at the expense of taxpayers and raise significant concerns about conflicts of interest, favoritism, the use of a public entity for personal gain, and fairness in prosecutions.

U.S. Chamber Statement on House Asbestos Reform Hearing

Mar 13, 2013

"For too long, asbestos bankruptcy trusts have operated without adequate oversight. Courts around the country have uncovered examples in which plaintiffs' lawyers have filed inconsistent or fraudulent claims with multiple trusts and in the court system. This abuse shortchanges legitimate asbestos claimants while hurting solvent companies, their shareholders and employees."The bipartisan Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act addresses this problem by requiring the trusts to file quarterly reports on their claims to the federal bankruptcy courts. This commonsense legislation would help discourage fraud and abuse in the asbestos compensation system."We commend Representatives Farenthold and Matheson for introducing the FACT Act, as well as Chairman Goodlatte and the House Judiciary Committee for holding this week’s hearing. We urge swift House and Senate passage of this important legislation."

Business Community Responds to FCPA Enforcement Guidance by DOJ and SEC

Feb 19, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a letter sent today, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) and more than 30 state, national, and international business and advocacy groups responded to guidance released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding their enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The letter commends the DOJ and the SEC for the clarity the guidance brings to certain enforcement issues, while also outlining where the business community requests further clarification.

U.S. Chamber Releases Annual List of 2012 Most Ridiculous Lawsuits

Dec 27, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A lawsuit by a driver who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and then sued a victim that he killed tops the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform's (ILR) survey of the Top Ten Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2012, released today. "Abuse of our legal system is no joke, and these examples range from the outrageous to the absurd," said ILR President Lisa A. Rickard. "This poll reminds us that as a society, we sue too much. In turn, these abusive lawsuits inflict harm on lives, jobs, and our economic growth."