What is the difference between a class action lawsuit and a citizens’ suit?

Class action lawsuits and citizens’ suits are two similar but different types of legal action. A class action lawsuit is typically filed by an individual or a group of people seeking to represent a larger class of people who have all suffered similar harm. The lawsuit is typically filed in a court of law, and the class must be formally certified. A class action lawsuit is generally filed in the hopes of obtaining financial compensation or other relief for the group of people represented. A citizens’ suit, on the other hand, is an action brought by an individual or organization in order to enforce a law, stop a violation of a law, or secure other relief. A citizens’ suit is typically filed against a government agency or an individual who has violated a law. Unlike a class action lawsuit, a citizens’ suit does not seek compensation for the individual; instead, it seeks to obtain or restore a public right or protect a public resource. Both class action lawsuits and citizens’ suits are important tools used to protect the rights of individuals and the public at large. While they are similar in that they both involve litigating a claim in a court of law, the differences between the two are significant. Generally speaking, class action lawsuits are used to seek redress for a group of similarly harmed people while citizens’ suits are used to enforce a law or to protect a public right or resource.

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What is the difference between a class action lawsuit and a citizens’ suit?

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