Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2005 (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Nov. 4, 2005 |
| Report Number |
RS21931 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Henry Cohen and Kenneth R. Thomas, American Law Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
H.R. 420 , 109th Congress, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2005, was reported by
the House Judiciary Committee on June 14, 2005 ( H.Rept. 109-123 ), and passed by the House on
October 27, 2005. H.R. 420 would strengthen Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure, and would narrow the choice of venues for personal injury actions, other than class
actions, brought in state and federal courts. The bill's Rule 11 provisions would apply to
all civil
actions, not just tort actions. Rule 11 provides for sanctions against parties who file frivolous claims
or defenses, or who file a paper for any improper purpose. (1)
1. H.R. 420 , 109th Congress, as
introduced, is identical to H.R. 4571 , 108th Congress, as introduced. The two
bills were no longer identical as reported and passed by the House.
