State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Wisconsin > 426 > 426.110

426.110

426.110 Class actions; injunctions; declaratory relief.

426.110(1)

(1) Either the administrator, or any customer affected by a violation of chs. 421 to 427 and 429 or of the rules promulgated pursuant thereto or by a violation of the federal consumer credit protection act, or by conduct of a kind described in sub. (2), may bring a civil action on behalf of himself or herself and all persons similarly situated, for actual damages by reason of such conduct or violation, together with penalties as provided in sub. (14), reasonable attorney fees and other relief to which such persons are entitled under chs. 421 to 427 and 429. The customer filing the action must give prompt notice thereof to the administrator, who shall be permitted, upon application within 30 days, to join as a party plaintiff. For purposes of apportionment of cost, the administrator need not be a party to the action.

426.110(2)

(2) Actions may be maintained under this section against any person who in making, soliciting or enforcing consumer credit transactions engages in any of the following kinds of conduct:

426.110(2)(a)

(a) Making or enforcing unconscionable terms or provisions of consumer credit transactions;

426.110(2)(b)

(b) False, misleading, deceptive, or unconscionable conduct in inducing customers to enter into consumer credit transactions; or

426.110(2)(c)

(c) False, misleading, deceptive, or unconscionable conduct in enforcing debts or security interests arising from consumer credit transactions.

426.110(3)

(3) Notwithstanding this chapter, no class action may be maintained for conduct proscribed in sub. (2) or for a violation of s. 423.301, 424.501, 425.107, 426.108 or 427.104 (1) (h) unless the conduct has been found to constitute a violation of chs. 421 to 427 and 429 at least 30 days prior to the occurrence of the conduct involved in the class action by an appellate court of this state or by a rule promulgated by the administrator as provided in ss. 426.104 (1) (e) and 426.108 specifying with particularity the act or practice in question.

426.110(4)

(4)

426.110(4)(a)

(a) At least 30 days or more prior to the commencement of a class action for damages pursuant to the provisions of this section, any party must:

426.110(4)(a)1.

1. Notify the person against whom an alleged cause of action is asserted of the particular alleged claim or violation; and

426.110(4)(a)2.

2. Demand that such person correct, or otherwise remedy the basis for the alleged claim.

426.110(4)(b)

(b) Such notice shall be in writing and shall be sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to such person at the place where the transaction occurred, such person's principal place of business within this state, or, if neither will effect actual notice, the department of financial institutions.

426.110(4)(c)

(c) Except as provided in par. (e), no action for damages may be maintained under this section if an appropriate remedy, which shall include actual damages and may include penalties, is given, or agreed to be given within a reasonable time, to such party within 30 days after receipt of such notice.

426.110(4)(d)

(d) Except as provided in par. (e), no action for damages may be maintained under this section upon a showing by a person against whom the alleged claim or violation is asserted that all of the following exist:

426.110(4)(d)1.

1. All customers similarly situated have been identified, or a reasonable effort to identify such other consumers has been made;

426.110(4)(d)2.

2. All customers so identified have been notified that upon their request such person shall make the appropriate remedy;

426.110(4)(d)3.

3. The remedy requested by such customers has been or in a reasonable time will be given; and

426.110(4)(d)4.

4. Such person has ceased from engaging, or if immediate cessation is impossible under the circumstances, such person will, within a reasonable time, cease to engage in any acts on which the alleged claim is based.

426.110(4)(e)

(e) An action for injunctive relief may be commenced without compliance with par. (a). Not less than 30 days after the commencement of an action for injunctive relief, and after compliance with par. (a) the customer may amend his or her complaint without leave of court to include a request for damages. The appropriate provisions of par. (c) or (d) shall be applicable if the complaint for injunctive relief is amended to request damages.

426.110(5)

(5) The court shall permit the suit to be maintained on behalf of all members of the represented class only if:

426.110(5)(a)

(a) The class is so numerous that joinder of all members, if permissible, would be impracticable;

426.110(5)(b)

(b) There are questions of law and fact common to the class;

426.110(5)(c)

(c) The claims or defenses of the representative plaintiffs are typical of the claims or defenses of the class. This paragraph shall not apply if the administrator is a representative plaintiff;

426.110(5)(d)

(d) The representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class.

426.110(6)

(6) An action may be maintained as a class action if the prerequisites of sub. (5) are satisfied, and in addition:

426.110(6)(a)

(a) The prosecution of separate actions by or against individual members of the class would create a risk of:

426.110(6)(a)1.

1. Inconsistent or varying adjudications with respect to individual members of the class which would establish incompatible standards of conduct for the party opposing the class; or

426.110(6)(a)2.

2. Adjudications with respect to individual members of the class which would as a practical matter be dispositive of the interests of the other members not parties to the adjudications or substantially impair or impede their ability to protect their interests; or

426.110(6)(b)

(b) The party opposing the class has acted or refused to act on grounds generally applicable to the class, thereby making appropriate final injunctive relief or corresponding declaratory relief with respect to the class as a whole; or

426.110(6)(c)

(c) The court finds that the questions of law or fact common to the members of the class predominate over any questions affecting only individual members, and that a class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of the controversy. The matters pertinent to the findings include:

426.110(6)(c)1.

1. The interest of members of the class in individually controlling the prosecution or defense of separate actions;

426.110(6)(c)2.

2. The extent and nature of any litigation concerning the controversy already commenced by or against members of the class;

426.110(6)(c)3.

3. The desirability or undesirability of concentrating the litigation of the claims in the particular forum; and

426.110(6)(c)4.

4. The difficulties likely to be encountered in the management of a class action.

426.110(7)

(7) As soon as practicable after the commencement of an action brought as a class action, the court shall determine by order whether it is to be so maintained. An order under this subsection may be conditional, and may be altered or amended before the decision on the merits. If the court determines that the action may not be maintained as a class action, it shall allow the action to proceed on behalf of the parties appearing in the action.

426.110(8)

(8) In any class action maintained under sub. (6) (c), the court shall direct to the members of the class the best notice practicable under the circumstances, including individual notice to all members who can be identified through reasonable effort. The notice shall advise each member that:

426.110(8)(a)

(a) The court will exclude a class member from the class if the member so requests by a specified date;

426.110(8)(b)

(b) The judgment, whether favorable or not, will include all members who do not request exclusion; and

426.110(8)(c)

(c) Any member who does not request exclusion may, if the member desires, enter an appearance through the member's counsel.

426.110(9)

(9) The judgment in an action maintained as a class action under sub. (6) (a) or (b), whether or not favorable to the class, shall include and describe those whom the court finds to be members of the class. The judgment in an action maintained as a class action under sub. (6) (c), whether or not favorable to the class, shall include and specify or describe those to whom the notice provided in sub. (8) was directed, and who have not requested exclusion, and whom the court finds to be members of the class.

426.110(10)

(10) When appropriate, an action may be brought or maintained as a class action with respect to particular issues, or a class may be divided into subclasses and each subclass treated as a class, and this section shall then be construed and applied accordingly.

426.110(11)

(11) If the judgment is for a class of plaintiffs, the court shall render judgment in favor of the administrator and against the defendants for all costs of notice incurred by the administrator in such action.

426.110(12)

(12) In the conduct of actions to which this section applies, the court may make appropriate orders, which may be altered or amended as may be desirable from time to time, for any of the following purposes:

426.110(12)(a)

(a) Determining the course of proceedings or prescribing measures to prevent undue repetition or complication in the presentation of evidence or argument.

426.110(12)(b)

(b) Requiring, for the protection of the members of the class or otherwise for the fair conduct of the action, that notice be given in such manner as the court may direct to some or all of the members of any step in the action, or of the proposed extent of the judgment, or of the opportunity of members to signify whether they consider the representation fair and adequate, to intervene and present claims or defenses, or otherwise to come into the action.

426.110(12)(c)

(c) Imposing conditions on the representative parties or on intervenors.

426.110(12)(d)

(d) Requiring that the pleadings be amended to eliminate therefrom allegations as to representation of absent persons, and that the action proceed accordingly.

426.110(12)(e)

(e) Dealing with procedural matters similar to those under pars. (a) to (d).

426.110(13)

(13) A class action shall not be dismissed or compromised without the approval of the court, and notice of the proposed dismissal or compromise shall be given to all members of the class in such manner as the court directs.

426.110(14)

(14) A merchant shall not be liable in a class action for specific penalties under s. 425.302 (1) (a), 425.303 (1), 425.304 (1), 425.305 (1) or 429.301 (1) for which it would be liable in individual actions by reason of violations of chs. 421 to 427 and 429 or of conduct prescribed in sub. (2) unless it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation was a willful and knowing violation of chs. 421 to 427 and 429.No recovery in an action under this subsection may exceed $100,000.

426.110(15)

(15) A plaintiff who prevails shall be awarded a reasonable attorney's fee. Notwithstanding s. 425.308 (2), reasonable attorney's fees in a class action shall be determined by the value of the time reasonably expended by the attorney rather than by the amount of the recovery on behalf of the class. A legal aid society or legal services program which represents a class shall be awarded a reasonable service fee in lieu of reasonable attorney's fees, equal in amount to the amount of the attorney's fees as measured by this subsection.

426.110(16)

(16) The administrator, whether or not a party to an action, shall bear the costs of notice except that the administrator may recover such costs from the defendant as provided in sub. (11).

426.110 - ANNOT.

History: 1971 c. 239; 1975 c. 407; 1979 c. 89; 1985 a. 256; 1991 a. 316; 1995 a. 27, 225, 329; 1999 a. 85.

426.110 - ANNOT.

Sub. (4) (c) is procedural and not substantive as it does not grant or deny the substantive right to sue. Mace v. Van Ru Credit Corp. 109 F.3d 338 (1997).

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Wisconsin > 426 > 426.110

426.110

426.110 Class actions; injunctions; declaratory relief.

426.110(1)

(1) Either the administrator, or any customer affected by a violation of chs. 421 to 427 and 429 or of the rules promulgated pursuant thereto or by a violation of the federal consumer credit protection act, or by conduct of a kind described in sub. (2), may bring a civil action on behalf of himself or herself and all persons similarly situated, for actual damages by reason of such conduct or violation, together with penalties as provided in sub. (14), reasonable attorney fees and other relief to which such persons are entitled under chs. 421 to 427 and 429. The customer filing the action must give prompt notice thereof to the administrator, who shall be permitted, upon application within 30 days, to join as a party plaintiff. For purposes of apportionment of cost, the administrator need not be a party to the action.

426.110(2)

(2) Actions may be maintained under this section against any person who in making, soliciting or enforcing consumer credit transactions engages in any of the following kinds of conduct:

426.110(2)(a)

(a) Making or enforcing unconscionable terms or provisions of consumer credit transactions;

426.110(2)(b)

(b) False, misleading, deceptive, or unconscionable conduct in inducing customers to enter into consumer credit transactions; or

426.110(2)(c)

(c) False, misleading, deceptive, or unconscionable conduct in enforcing debts or security interests arising from consumer credit transactions.

426.110(3)

(3) Notwithstanding this chapter, no class action may be maintained for conduct proscribed in sub. (2) or for a violation of s. 423.301, 424.501, 425.107, 426.108 or 427.104 (1) (h) unless the conduct has been found to constitute a violation of chs. 421 to 427 and 429 at least 30 days prior to the occurrence of the conduct involved in the class action by an appellate court of this state or by a rule promulgated by the administrator as provided in ss. 426.104 (1) (e) and 426.108 specifying with particularity the act or practice in question.

426.110(4)

(4)

426.110(4)(a)

(a) At least 30 days or more prior to the commencement of a class action for damages pursuant to the provisions of this section, any party must:

426.110(4)(a)1.

1. Notify the person against whom an alleged cause of action is asserted of the particular alleged claim or violation; and

426.110(4)(a)2.

2. Demand that such person correct, or otherwise remedy the basis for the alleged claim.

426.110(4)(b)

(b) Such notice shall be in writing and shall be sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to such person at the place where the transaction occurred, such person's principal place of business within this state, or, if neither will effect actual notice, the department of financial institutions.

426.110(4)(c)

(c) Except as provided in par. (e), no action for damages may be maintained under this section if an appropriate remedy, which shall include actual damages and may include penalties, is given, or agreed to be given within a reasonable time, to such party within 30 days after receipt of such notice.

426.110(4)(d)

(d) Except as provided in par. (e), no action for damages may be maintained under this section upon a showing by a person against whom the alleged claim or violation is asserted that all of the following exist:

426.110(4)(d)1.

1. All customers similarly situated have been identified, or a reasonable effort to identify such other consumers has been made;

426.110(4)(d)2.

2. All customers so identified have been notified that upon their request such person shall make the appropriate remedy;

426.110(4)(d)3.

3. The remedy requested by such customers has been or in a reasonable time will be given; and

426.110(4)(d)4.

4. Such person has ceased from engaging, or if immediate cessation is impossible under the circumstances, such person will, within a reasonable time, cease to engage in any acts on which the alleged claim is based.

426.110(4)(e)

(e) An action for injunctive relief may be commenced without compliance with par. (a). Not less than 30 days after the commencement of an action for injunctive relief, and after compliance with par. (a) the customer may amend his or her complaint without leave of court to include a request for damages. The appropriate provisions of par. (c) or (d) shall be applicable if the complaint for injunctive relief is amended to request damages.

426.110(5)

(5) The court shall permit the suit to be maintained on behalf of all members of the represented class only if:

426.110(5)(a)

(a) The class is so numerous that joinder of all members, if permissible, would be impracticable;

426.110(5)(b)

(b) There are questions of law and fact common to the class;

426.110(5)(c)

(c) The claims or defenses of the representative plaintiffs are typical of the claims or defenses of the class. This paragraph shall not apply if the administrator is a representative plaintiff;

426.110(5)(d)

(d) The representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class.

426.110(6)

(6) An action may be maintained as a class action if the prerequisites of sub. (5) are satisfied, and in addition:

426.110(6)(a)

(a) The prosecution of separate actions by or against individual members of the class would create a risk of:

426.110(6)(a)1.

1. Inconsistent or varying adjudications with respect to individual members of the class which would establish incompatible standards of conduct for the party opposing the class; or

426.110(6)(a)2.

2. Adjudications with respect to individual members of the class which would as a practical matter be dispositive of the interests of the other members not parties to the adjudications or substantially impair or impede their ability to protect their interests; or

426.110(6)(b)

(b) The party opposing the class has acted or refused to act on grounds generally applicable to the class, thereby making appropriate final injunctive relief or corresponding declaratory relief with respect to the class as a whole; or

426.110(6)(c)

(c) The court finds that the questions of law or fact common to the members of the class predominate over any questions affecting only individual members, and that a class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of the controversy. The matters pertinent to the findings include:

426.110(6)(c)1.

1. The interest of members of the class in individually controlling the prosecution or defense of separate actions;

426.110(6)(c)2.

2. The extent and nature of any litigation concerning the controversy already commenced by or against members of the class;

426.110(6)(c)3.

3. The desirability or undesirability of concentrating the litigation of the claims in the particular forum; and

426.110(6)(c)4.

4. The difficulties likely to be encountered in the management of a class action.

426.110(7)

(7) As soon as practicable after the commencement of an action brought as a class action, the court shall determine by order whether it is to be so maintained. An order under this subsection may be conditional, and may be altered or amended before the decision on the merits. If the court determines that the action may not be maintained as a class action, it shall allow the action to proceed on behalf of the parties appearing in the action.

426.110(8)

(8) In any class action maintained under sub. (6) (c), the court shall direct to the members of the class the best notice practicable under the circumstances, including individual notice to all members who can be identified through reasonable effort. The notice shall advise each member that:

426.110(8)(a)

(a) The court will exclude a class member from the class if the member so requests by a specified date;

426.110(8)(b)

(b) The judgment, whether favorable or not, will include all members who do not request exclusion; and

426.110(8)(c)

(c) Any member who does not request exclusion may, if the member desires, enter an appearance through the member's counsel.

426.110(9)

(9) The judgment in an action maintained as a class action under sub. (6) (a) or (b), whether or not favorable to the class, shall include and describe those whom the court finds to be members of the class. The judgment in an action maintained as a class action under sub. (6) (c), whether or not favorable to the class, shall include and specify or describe those to whom the notice provided in sub. (8) was directed, and who have not requested exclusion, and whom the court finds to be members of the class.

426.110(10)

(10) When appropriate, an action may be brought or maintained as a class action with respect to particular issues, or a class may be divided into subclasses and each subclass treated as a class, and this section shall then be construed and applied accordingly.

426.110(11)

(11) If the judgment is for a class of plaintiffs, the court shall render judgment in favor of the administrator and against the defendants for all costs of notice incurred by the administrator in such action.

426.110(12)

(12) In the conduct of actions to which this section applies, the court may make appropriate orders, which may be altered or amended as may be desirable from time to time, for any of the following purposes:

426.110(12)(a)

(a) Determining the course of proceedings or prescribing measures to prevent undue repetition or complication in the presentation of evidence or argument.

426.110(12)(b)

(b) Requiring, for the protection of the members of the class or otherwise for the fair conduct of the action, that notice be given in such manner as the court may direct to some or all of the members of any step in the action, or of the proposed extent of the judgment, or of the opportunity of members to signify whether they consider the representation fair and adequate, to intervene and present claims or defenses, or otherwise to come into the action.

426.110(12)(c)

(c) Imposing conditions on the representative parties or on intervenors.

426.110(12)(d)

(d) Requiring that the pleadings be amended to eliminate therefrom allegations as to representation of absent persons, and that the action proceed accordingly.

426.110(12)(e)

(e) Dealing with procedural matters similar to those under pars. (a) to (d).

426.110(13)

(13) A class action shall not be dismissed or compromised without the approval of the court, and notice of the proposed dismissal or compromise shall be given to all members of the class in such manner as the court directs.

426.110(14)

(14) A merchant shall not be liable in a class action for specific penalties under s. 425.302 (1) (a), 425.303 (1), 425.304 (1), 425.305 (1) or 429.301 (1) for which it would be liable in individual actions by reason of violations of chs. 421 to 427 and 429 or of conduct prescribed in sub. (2) unless it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation was a willful and knowing violation of chs. 421 to 427 and 429.No recovery in an action under this subsection may exceed $100,000.

426.110(15)

(15) A plaintiff who prevails shall be awarded a reasonable attorney's fee. Notwithstanding s. 425.308 (2), reasonable attorney's fees in a class action shall be determined by the value of the time reasonably expended by the attorney rather than by the amount of the recovery on behalf of the class. A legal aid society or legal services program which represents a class shall be awarded a reasonable service fee in lieu of reasonable attorney's fees, equal in amount to the amount of the attorney's fees as measured by this subsection.

426.110(16)

(16) The administrator, whether or not a party to an action, shall bear the costs of notice except that the administrator may recover such costs from the defendant as provided in sub. (11).

426.110 - ANNOT.

History: 1971 c. 239; 1975 c. 407; 1979 c. 89; 1985 a. 256; 1991 a. 316; 1995 a. 27, 225, 329; 1999 a. 85.

426.110 - ANNOT.

Sub. (4) (c) is procedural and not substantive as it does not grant or deny the substantive right to sue. Mace v. Van Ru Credit Corp. 109 F.3d 338 (1997).

State Codes and Statutes


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State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Wisconsin > 426 > 426.110

426.110

426.110 Class actions; injunctions; declaratory relief.

426.110(1)

(1) Either the administrator, or any customer affected by a violation of chs. 421 to 427 and 429 or of the rules promulgated pursuant thereto or by a violation of the federal consumer credit protection act, or by conduct of a kind described in sub. (2), may bring a civil action on behalf of himself or herself and all persons similarly situated, for actual damages by reason of such conduct or violation, together with penalties as provided in sub. (14), reasonable attorney fees and other relief to which such persons are entitled under chs. 421 to 427 and 429. The customer filing the action must give prompt notice thereof to the administrator, who shall be permitted, upon application within 30 days, to join as a party plaintiff. For purposes of apportionment of cost, the administrator need not be a party to the action.

426.110(2)

(2) Actions may be maintained under this section against any person who in making, soliciting or enforcing consumer credit transactions engages in any of the following kinds of conduct:

426.110(2)(a)

(a) Making or enforcing unconscionable terms or provisions of consumer credit transactions;

426.110(2)(b)

(b) False, misleading, deceptive, or unconscionable conduct in inducing customers to enter into consumer credit transactions; or

426.110(2)(c)

(c) False, misleading, deceptive, or unconscionable conduct in enforcing debts or security interests arising from consumer credit transactions.

426.110(3)

(3) Notwithstanding this chapter, no class action may be maintained for conduct proscribed in sub. (2) or for a violation of s. 423.301, 424.501, 425.107, 426.108 or 427.104 (1) (h) unless the conduct has been found to constitute a violation of chs. 421 to 427 and 429 at least 30 days prior to the occurrence of the conduct involved in the class action by an appellate court of this state or by a rule promulgated by the administrator as provided in ss. 426.104 (1) (e) and 426.108 specifying with particularity the act or practice in question.

426.110(4)

(4)

426.110(4)(a)

(a) At least 30 days or more prior to the commencement of a class action for damages pursuant to the provisions of this section, any party must:

426.110(4)(a)1.

1. Notify the person against whom an alleged cause of action is asserted of the particular alleged claim or violation; and

426.110(4)(a)2.

2. Demand that such person correct, or otherwise remedy the basis for the alleged claim.

426.110(4)(b)

(b) Such notice shall be in writing and shall be sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to such person at the place where the transaction occurred, such person's principal place of business within this state, or, if neither will effect actual notice, the department of financial institutions.

426.110(4)(c)

(c) Except as provided in par. (e), no action for damages may be maintained under this section if an appropriate remedy, which shall include actual damages and may include penalties, is given, or agreed to be given within a reasonable time, to such party within 30 days after receipt of such notice.

426.110(4)(d)

(d) Except as provided in par. (e), no action for damages may be maintained under this section upon a showing by a person against whom the alleged claim or violation is asserted that all of the following exist:

426.110(4)(d)1.

1. All customers similarly situated have been identified, or a reasonable effort to identify such other consumers has been made;

426.110(4)(d)2.

2. All customers so identified have been notified that upon their request such person shall make the appropriate remedy;

426.110(4)(d)3.

3. The remedy requested by such customers has been or in a reasonable time will be given; and

426.110(4)(d)4.

4. Such person has ceased from engaging, or if immediate cessation is impossible under the circumstances, such person will, within a reasonable time, cease to engage in any acts on which the alleged claim is based.

426.110(4)(e)

(e) An action for injunctive relief may be commenced without compliance with par. (a). Not less than 30 days after the commencement of an action for injunctive relief, and after compliance with par. (a) the customer may amend his or her complaint without leave of court to include a request for damages. The appropriate provisions of par. (c) or (d) shall be applicable if the complaint for injunctive relief is amended to request damages.

426.110(5)

(5) The court shall permit the suit to be maintained on behalf of all members of the represented class only if:

426.110(5)(a)

(a) The class is so numerous that joinder of all members, if permissible, would be impracticable;

426.110(5)(b)

(b) There are questions of law and fact common to the class;

426.110(5)(c)

(c) The claims or defenses of the representative plaintiffs are typical of the claims or defenses of the class. This paragraph shall not apply if the administrator is a representative plaintiff;

426.110(5)(d)

(d) The representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class.

426.110(6)

(6) An action may be maintained as a class action if the prerequisites of sub. (5) are satisfied, and in addition:

426.110(6)(a)

(a) The prosecution of separate actions by or against individual members of the class would create a risk of:

426.110(6)(a)1.

1. Inconsistent or varying adjudications with respect to individual members of the class which would establish incompatible standards of conduct for the party opposing the class; or

426.110(6)(a)2.

2. Adjudications with respect to individual members of the class which would as a practical matter be dispositive of the interests of the other members not parties to the adjudications or substantially impair or impede their ability to protect their interests; or

426.110(6)(b)

(b) The party opposing the class has acted or refused to act on grounds generally applicable to the class, thereby making appropriate final injunctive relief or corresponding declaratory relief with respect to the class as a whole; or

426.110(6)(c)

(c) The court finds that the questions of law or fact common to the members of the class predominate over any questions affecting only individual members, and that a class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of the controversy. The matters pertinent to the findings include:

426.110(6)(c)1.

1. The interest of members of the class in individually controlling the prosecution or defense of separate actions;

426.110(6)(c)2.

2. The extent and nature of any litigation concerning the controversy already commenced by or against members of the class;

426.110(6)(c)3.

3. The desirability or undesirability of concentrating the litigation of the claims in the particular forum; and

426.110(6)(c)4.

4. The difficulties likely to be encountered in the management of a class action.

426.110(7)

(7) As soon as practicable after the commencement of an action brought as a class action, the court shall determine by order whether it is to be so maintained. An order under this subsection may be conditional, and may be altered or amended before the decision on the merits. If the court determines that the action may not be maintained as a class action, it shall allow the action to proceed on behalf of the parties appearing in the action.

426.110(8)

(8) In any class action maintained under sub. (6) (c), the court shall direct to the members of the class the best notice practicable under the circumstances, including individual notice to all members who can be identified through reasonable effort. The notice shall advise each member that:

426.110(8)(a)

(a) The court will exclude a class member from the class if the member so requests by a specified date;

426.110(8)(b)

(b) The judgment, whether favorable or not, will include all members who do not request exclusion; and

426.110(8)(c)

(c) Any member who does not request exclusion may, if the member desires, enter an appearance through the member's counsel.

426.110(9)

(9) The judgment in an action maintained as a class action under sub. (6) (a) or (b), whether or not favorable to the class, shall include and describe those whom the court finds to be members of the class. The judgment in an action maintained as a class action under sub. (6) (c), whether or not favorable to the class, shall include and specify or describe those to whom the notice provided in sub. (8) was directed, and who have not requested exclusion, and whom the court finds to be members of the class.

426.110(10)

(10) When appropriate, an action may be brought or maintained as a class action with respect to particular issues, or a class may be divided into subclasses and each subclass treated as a class, and this section shall then be construed and applied accordingly.

426.110(11)

(11) If the judgment is for a class of plaintiffs, the court shall render judgment in favor of the administrator and against the defendants for all costs of notice incurred by the administrator in such action.

426.110(12)

(12) In the conduct of actions to which this section applies, the court may make appropriate orders, which may be altered or amended as may be desirable from time to time, for any of the following purposes:

426.110(12)(a)

(a) Determining the course of proceedings or prescribing measures to prevent undue repetition or complication in the presentation of evidence or argument.

426.110(12)(b)

(b) Requiring, for the protection of the members of the class or otherwise for the fair conduct of the action, that notice be given in such manner as the court may direct to some or all of the members of any step in the action, or of the proposed extent of the judgment, or of the opportunity of members to signify whether they consider the representation fair and adequate, to intervene and present claims or defenses, or otherwise to come into the action.

426.110(12)(c)

(c) Imposing conditions on the representative parties or on intervenors.

426.110(12)(d)

(d) Requiring that the pleadings be amended to eliminate therefrom allegations as to representation of absent persons, and that the action proceed accordingly.

426.110(12)(e)

(e) Dealing with procedural matters similar to those under pars. (a) to (d).

426.110(13)

(13) A class action shall not be dismissed or compromised without the approval of the court, and notice of the proposed dismissal or compromise shall be given to all members of the class in such manner as the court directs.

426.110(14)

(14) A merchant shall not be liable in a class action for specific penalties under s. 425.302 (1) (a), 425.303 (1), 425.304 (1), 425.305 (1) or 429.301 (1) for which it would be liable in individual actions by reason of violations of chs. 421 to 427 and 429 or of conduct prescribed in sub. (2) unless it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation was a willful and knowing violation of chs. 421 to 427 and 429.No recovery in an action under this subsection may exceed $100,000.

426.110(15)

(15) A plaintiff who prevails shall be awarded a reasonable attorney's fee. Notwithstanding s. 425.308 (2), reasonable attorney's fees in a class action shall be determined by the value of the time reasonably expended by the attorney rather than by the amount of the recovery on behalf of the class. A legal aid society or legal services program which represents a class shall be awarded a reasonable service fee in lieu of reasonable attorney's fees, equal in amount to the amount of the attorney's fees as measured by this subsection.

426.110(16)

(16) The administrator, whether or not a party to an action, shall bear the costs of notice except that the administrator may recover such costs from the defendant as provided in sub. (11).

426.110 - ANNOT.

History: 1971 c. 239; 1975 c. 407; 1979 c. 89; 1985 a. 256; 1991 a. 316; 1995 a. 27, 225, 329; 1999 a. 85.

426.110 - ANNOT.

Sub. (4) (c) is procedural and not substantive as it does not grant or deny the substantive right to sue. Mace v. Van Ru Credit Corp. 109 F.3d 338 (1997).

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