On the Jurisdiction of Class Actions, or Where Are the Boundaries of the Courts’ Competence?

This article examines the problem of delineating jurisdiction due to the lack of clear criteria for distinguishing between arbitration courts and courts of general jurisdiction. The problem is illustrated by the jurisdiction of class actions. The author concludes that the subject matter does not affect the jurisdiction of class actions, and that the nature of the dispute is the only relevant factor. The jurisdiction of courts depends on the nature of the dispute, whether it is an economic dispute or a dispute related to business or other economic activities.