Our firm specializes in managing class actions in various areas. We have an impressive track record in winning a fair share of actions, some of which have gained significant media coverage.
What is a class action suit?
A class action suit, also known as a 'representative action', is a unique procedure in Israeli law, in which one (or more) plaintiff files a law suit and a motion to classify it as "representative" - that is, on behalf of a group, or class, of absent parties for an injury (of a similar nature) suffered by each member of the group due to a violation of the same nature. Class actions are founded on the protection of interests of the damaged individual, as well as that of the public.
In essence, a class action protects the individual's interest by providing a remedy to the damaged individual. In most cases, that individual does not go through the trouble of filing a law suit due to the high costs involved. Often due to the relatively minor nature of the damage one has suffered. Still, the aggregated damages to the group are significant, thus the accumulation of individual claims into one claim, namely a class action, makes each such individual claim worthy. The need to enforce the provisions of the law in the framework of which such action is filed, evidently serves public interest. Class actions serve as a deterrent – violators know that damaged individuals may act fiercely against them, with significant implications.
Also an important aspect of the public interest is efficiency and saving of resources that are inherent in a class action – this means less effort, time and funds spent by all parties involved: plaintiffs, defendants, lawyers and the Israeli courts. For this purpose, a class action serves to achieve uniform court decisions on similar cases and to prevent multiple similar suits. (Supreme Court Case 4556/94 Tezet V. Zilbershats (1994)).
The Class Actions Act (2006) allows filing class action suits in a variety of matters, but stipulates a number of complex prerequisites for a suit to be classified as a class action.
Here are some of the Class actions managed by our firm:
El Al Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Misleading Seat Practices
A court certified settlement (January 30, 2020), in a class action filed against the Ashdod Port for the overbilling of weekend rates on weekdays. As part of the settlement, the Ashdod Port will repay NIS 100,000,000 to the public.
Click here for an article on this matter
A court certified settlement, in a class action filed against the First International Bank of Israel Ltd. and 4 other banks, for improper collection of securities deposit management fees, in Israel and abroad.
A court certified settlement, in a class action filed against Union Bank Ltd., for the improper collection of credit balances in clients' bank accounts.
A court certified settlement, in a class action filed against Bank Hapoalim Ltd., for the improper collection of management fees in securities accounts.
A court certified settlement, in a class action filed against Victory Supermarkets, for consumer deception in promotional signs posted at the chain's stores.
A court certified settlement in a class action filed (together with attorney Guy Herschkowitz) against Bluestone which produced Rihanna's concert in Israel, for incidents that took place before and during said concert.
A court certified settlement in a class action filed (together with attorney Shiri Raiff Florentine) against Gad Oron which produced Robbie Williams's concert in Israel, for ignoring the rights of very expensive VIP ticket holders.
Click here for an article on this matter
A court certified settlement, in a class action filed (together with Attorney Guy Herschkowitz) against the Team 3 Ltd. security company for violations of the collective labor agreement expanded by an expansion order to include all persons employed in the Israeli security sector, in such manner that the defendant made improper deductions and violated its employees' social rights.
A class action filed against one of the largest car rental search portals (RENTALCARS) for concealing the VAT component added to the prices of vehicle rentals presented on its website.
Click here for an article on this matter.
A class action filed against El Al Airways for their policy under which they fail to disclose the existence of inferior seats on their flights to some of their customers.
A class action filed against Portugal's national airlines (TAP) on April 16, 2020 for breach of duty under the Aviation Services Act, including failure to return considerations to individuals whose flights have been canceled by the airline and the provision of a voucher which does not serve as a 'substitute flight ticket' as required by the same law.
Click here for an article on this matter
A class action filed against Discount Bank Ltd. for improper collection of fees from bank customers who were promised various benefits.