The Globalization of Mass Civil Litigation: Lessons from the Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Case

This RAND Corporation report examines the rise of global mass civil litigation through the example of the Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” scandal.

The study analyzes how parallel proceedings unfolded across multiple jurisdictions, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil, and Chile. It compares procedural mechanisms such as class actions, collective settlements, model declaratory actions, and public enforcement tools.

The report highlights how differences in legal culture, procedural rules, funding mechanisms, and judicial approaches shaped the outcomes of the litigation. It also explores broader questions about transnational coordination, third-party litigation funding, regulatory interaction, and the future of global collective redress.

The Globalization of Mass Civil Litigation: Lessons from the Volkswagen « Clean Diesel » C.

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Authors of the document: Deborah R. Hensler, Jasminka Kalajdzic, Peter Cashman, Manuel A. Gómez, Axel Halfmeier, Ianika Tzankova