Defending the Civil Justice System

The civil justice system is a key part of our democracy, providing critical tools for holding reckless corporations and individuals accountable for their wrongdoing when people are harmed. It also plays an important role in maintaining public health and safety. But corporate interests are lobbying Congress and executive agencies to strip individuals’ legal rights to seek justice for harms like rip offs and injuries.

Public Citizen works to defend against attempts to undermine the people’s constitutional rights.

Resources on Defending the Civil Justice System

• Comments on CMS’s Proposed Revisions to Requirements for Forced Arbitration Agreements in Long-Term Care Facilities, August 7, 2017
• Opposition to H.R. 906, the Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2017, March 8, 2017
• Public Citizen Opposition Letter: H.R. 720 and H.R. 725, March 2017
• Public Citzen Opposition Letter: Three Bills That Handcuff Judges, March 3, 2017
• Corporate Interests Give Tens of Millions to Dismantle Legal Rights of Consumers and Patients, March 10, 2017
• Friday Briefing: Legal Rights of Consumers and Patients Under Fire Next Week, March 3, 2017
• House GOP Lawmakers Engage in Cruel and Callous Effort to Take Away People’s Legal Rights, March 6, 2017
• Public Citizen Opposition Letter: H.R. 720 and H.R. 725, March 2017
• Group Opposition Letter: FACT Act, March 2017
• Public Citizen Statement: House GOP Lawmakers Engage in Cruel and Callous Effort to Take Away People’s Legal Rights, March 2017
• Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017
• Group Opposition Letter: Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017, Feb 27, 2017
• Oppose the assault on civil justice, Feb 1, 2017
• Oppose H.R.5063, The “Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2015”, May 10, 2016
• Group Opposition Letter HR2304.6, June 20, 2016
• Group Opposition Letter: SPEAK FREE Act, June 20, 2016
• Groups Strongly Oppose Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act, September 15, 2016
• H.R.1927 Classification Letter, Jan 6, 2016
• House Floor Coalition Sign On Opposing FACTAct, Jan 6, 2016
• Bill That Would Cripple Class-Action Lawsuits and Further Harm Asbestos Victims Should Be Defeated, January 7, 2016
• Group Opposition Letter: Energy Star Program Integrity Act, June 27, 2015
• Public Citizen Opposition Letter: Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act, September 15, 2015
• Report: The Fiction of the “No-Injury” Class Action, October 2015
• COMMENT TO THE RULE 23 SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE CIVIL RULES ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON BEHALF OF PUBLIC CITIZEN LITIGATION GROUP, April 9, 2015
• Upcoming Congressional Hearing on State of Class Actions Should Consider How Recent Restrictions Damage Individuals’ Access to Justice, February 26, 2015
• Press Release: Congress Targets Asbestos Victims, Feb. 4, 2015
• Letter to Congress from Public Citizen’s Congress Watch Division Opposing the FACT Act, Feb 4. 2015
• Letter to Congress from Coalition of Organizations Opposing the FACT Act, Feb. 4, 2015
• Press Release: FACT Act Adds Insult to Injury for Asbestos Victims, Jan. 27, 2015
• Press Release: Sunshine in Litigation Act Would Improve Public Access to Information About Dangerous Products, May 20, 2014
• Press Release: Lawmakers Approve Flawed Bill That Would Burden Judiciary, Increase Litigation Costs, September 11, 2013
• Press Release: 2004 Lawsuit Shows Rep. Phil Gingrey’s Willingness to Use Courts While Trying to Block Other Americans From Using Them, March 14, 2011
• Press Release: New Anti-Tort Study Relies on Discredited Data and Junk Economics, Ignores Core Function of Legal System, April 26, 2007
• Press Release: New U.S. Chamber of Commerce Poll Ranking States’ Liability Systems Is Part of a Disinformation Campaign to Restrict Consumer Rights, March 8, 2005
• Press Release: Bush Economic Forum on U.S. Legal System Is a Rehash of Lies and Distortions From Election Campaign, Dec. 15, 2004
• Press Release: Mississippi Lawsuit Legislation Pushed by Barbour Is Political Payback to Big Business, June 16, 2004
• Press Release: Public Citizen Invites Chamber Head to Debate Over Tort Ads, March 11, 2004
• Press Release: Bill to Limit Lawsuits Against Gun Industry Violates Constitution, July 24, 2003
• Press Release: Sweeping Civil Justice Legislation is Anti-Consumer, Should Be Rejected, April 14, 2003
• Press Release: New Report Uncovers Secret Campaign by Big Tobacco and Other Industries to Restrict Legal Rights, July 26, 2000