BLG's Class Actions Group provides sophisticated class actions advice and representation on a seamless national basis through our five offices across Canada. We offer innovative approaches and considerable resources to address our clients’ needs, founded on the strength of our substantive expertise and experience with the complex procedural aspects of class actions. Whether it is risk management to avoid class actions, settlements or defence of claims that is required, our Class Actions Group is able to assist with the identification and execution of strategic responses.
Service With a Difference
We put our clients first. For most potential defendants, class actions defence isn't primarily about the law. Class actions raise concerns about cost, reputational risk, customer and employee relations, diversion of management time, effective and efficient responses, as well as public relations. We understand these concerns. The BLG difference is a client-centred response: the best legal talent, combined with the greatest understanding of our clients' priorities. This includes:
- Working closely with the marketing, public relations, financial and HR professionals of our clients to understand their business priorities.
- Focusing on early and cost-effective resolution.
- Including client and customer relations as part of our defence litigation strategy.
- Obtaining the best experts.
- Providing effective and efficient response times.
Proven and Leading-Edge
With experience gained in representing our clients in more than 100 class actions commenced across Canada, our Class Actions Group is a leader in defence of these claims. Examples of our innovative approaches include:
- Making first use of bar orders in Canada to facilitate settlements.
- Negotiating first inter-provincial class actions settlement (Ontario and Québec).
- Successfully defending the first common issues summary trial in British Columbia.
- Obtaining the first reversal of a certification order by the British Columbia Court of Appeal.
- Making innovative use of cy-près settlement techniques.
Bench Strength
Our Class Actions team is comprised of lawyers across the country who have the specialized knowledge required to effectively respond to class proceedings. Your business requires an experienced team like ours.
At BLG, we take a team approach to class actions. This means that you will get the benefit not only of experts on class actions, but also of subject-matter experts who have knowledge of the specific legal area and industry at issue in your case. We have extensive experience and expertise in managing risks and defending class actions related to:
- Banking and financial services
- Consumer issues and product liability
- Cyber risks, data breaches and privacy breaches
- Insurance
- Securities and investors
- Labour and employment
- Price fixing and competition
- Environmental liability
- Health law
BLG has the practical experience and subject-matter expertise to remain at the forefront of class actions defence, including in emerging and developing areas of law.
