Recent Second Circuit Opinion Invalidates Class Action Waiver Provision in a Commercial Contract

Although the waiver of class action claims may be freely negotiated, the allegedly injured party still may seek to evade that waiver by asserting a contract defense to its enforcement, such as that the waiver is unconscionable or procured by fraud or duress. Courts will evaluate the proposed waiver on a case-by-case basis depending on the claims asserted and whether relief can be achieved in an economically feasible way through arbitration of individual claims.