Cases Noted: Consumer Class Actions Under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act

Low-income consumers are often at a disadvantage when subject to deceptive business practices. These consumers find little protection in the courts due to the high costs of litigation and often low claims amount that is in dispute. Often, the only way for such plaintiffs to reach federal court would be to lump several claims together in a consumer class action suit.

This case note discusses Kugler v. Romain, a case in which the New Jersey Supreme Court held that when unconscionable prices render sales contracts invalid, the Attorney General may act for the entire benefit of the class of such persons under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and not merely for those who testified at trial.