Launched in 2019, the BCF Class Action NetLetter is a monthly electronic newsletter edited by BCF LLP partner Shaun E. Finn and published by LexisNexis. Every issue contains a series of articles that are national and international in scope and offer thoughtful commentary on the evolution of class actions – arguably one of the most dynamic areas of modern law.

This new title, Class Actions in Canada and Beyond: A Selection of Leading Class Action Articles from the BCF Class Action NetLetter, is a carefully curated compilation of some of the best of these articles to date. Drawn from the NetLetter issues that were produced between 2019 and 2021, the selections in this short book provide an up-to-date look at key class action-related procedural and substantive issues of interest to practitioners, in-house counsel and the judiciary alike.

Incisive Commentary and Insight

Overall, the NetLetter is neither pro-plaintiff, nor pro-defence. Instead, it solely aims to offer insightful content related to class actions from a broad range of thought leaders on an array of topics and viewpoints. It examines class action developments from all of Canada's regions and jurisdictions, from Ontario, Québec and the Maritimes, to the Prairies and British Columbia – as well as at the Federal Court level. The newsletter also provides updates on issues and judgments from abroad, including the United States, the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Written by expert contributors, the articles in Class Actions in Canada and Beyond: A Selection of Leading Class Action Articles from the BCF Class Action NetLetter explore the key steps involved in class actions as well as the various subjects that deserve increased consideration given their importance, novelty or controversy. As a result, the book is divided into two main sections: the first is devoted to procedural issues such as preliminary motions and certification criteria, while the second focuses on substantive matters such as environmental, privacy and consumer class actions, as well as up-to-date content on those related to COVID-19. The sections are further organized by theme – making it easier for readers to find the content they're looking for.

Class Actions in Canada and Beyond: A Selection of Leading Class Action Articles from the BCF Class Action NetLetter is a thoughtful and interesting overview of a range of both procedural and substantive issues related to class actions. As such, it will be a particularly useful guide for in-house counsel, civil litigation lawyers and judges, and would be a valuable addition to libraries at law schools, firms and law societies.