About | Right to Consumer Justice Foundation

OUR MISSION

The Consumer Justice Foundation represents the interests of those who have fallen victim to, amongst other things, breaches of consumer law as well as fraudulent or anti-competitive behaviour. The Consumer Justice Foundation advocates for consumer rights in the broadest sense. It does this, amongst other things, by conducting (independent) investigations into potential breaches of law and by identifying and determining the interests of victims. In addition, the Consumer Justice Foundation represents those victims in legal proceedings in the Netherlands and in other jurisdictions. The Consumer Justice Foundation has many years of experience in bringing collective actions, in which it defends the interests of large groups of consumers. Backed by expert litigators and sound funding, the Consumer Justice Foundation unites many consumers under a common claim, giving Dutch consumers more leverage and less risk. The Consumer Justice Foundation operates all cases without upfront costs, on a no-win, no-fee basis. Below, you can find more information regarding current cases and our governance structure. The Consumer Justice Foundation plans to pursue other cases in the relevant areas of law in the near future.

OUR CLAIMS

VARIABLE RATE ENERGY CLAIM

Since April 1, 2017, Vattenfall, Eneco, Essent, Energiedirect, Budget Thuis, Greenchoice, Greenchoice Zakelijk, ENGIE, Oxxio, and Vandebron have applied a modification clause to their (general terms and conditions of) variable energy contracts with consumers and small businesses, allowing them to unilaterally change supply rates. The amendment clause in variable energy contracts from Dutch energy suppliers has been found by both the District Court and the Court of Appeal in Amsterdam to be unlawful, insufficiently transparent, and therefore in violation of European and Dutch consumer law.

The Consumer Justice Foundation’s collective claim is significant and comprehensive in three key ways: 1) It includes all 10 major Dutch energy suppliers, covering the full range of energy companies that allegedly applied unfair contract clauses. 2) It ensures representation of both households (consumers) and small businesses who have faced the same sudden hikes and contractual traps, and which form the backbone of the Dutch economy. 3) It is the first to combine consumer and competition legal arguments together. In plain terms, it argues not only that the contract terms were unfair, but also that energy suppliers concerted their practices and behaved in a way that limited competition, enabling them to raise prices at the same time or in similar ways. Using both areas of law strengthens the case and shows that the problem wasn’t just individual contracts, but a wider issue in the market.

The Consumer Justice Foundation is therefore seeking compensation for the harm already done, as well as changes to stop these practices in the future and restore fairness in the Dutch energy market.

Current update in the energy claim:

February 6, 2026: In the Energy Claim, the Consumer Justice Foundation continues to bookbuild, seeking to represent both Dutch households and small businesses. Our multifaceted push has earned the Consumer Justice Foundation mentions in Dutch media, including De Telegraaf, ANP, Dutch News and other outlets. The Consumer Justice Foundation has retained the prestigious law firm bureau Brandeis to assist with the Foundation's mission.

APPLE APP STORE ANTITRUST CLAIM

The Consumer Justice Foundation seeks to assist Dutch consumers of Apple iOS applications and in-app digital products. These digital products provide essential functionality to Apple's iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices. They allow users to, among other things, pay bills, socialize, stream audio and video, monitor current events, and play games. iOS applications and in-app products bring Apple's mobile products to life and substantially enhance their value and functionality.

Being the sole provider of a distribution platform for native apps to iOS users, Apple exercises complete dominance in the market for iOS (and iPadOS) App Store services. Apple abused this dominant market position by barring app developers from selling their iOS applications outside Apple's own App Store and forcing the use of Apple’s (in-app) payment system.

Apple's abuse of its dominant position has caused iOS users to pay anti-competitive (excessive) prices for the use of iOS applications and in-app products, causing damage to consumers. At the same time, Apple has profited unlawfully from its violations of EU and Dutch competition law, resulting in unjust enrichment. By means of specific rules on private enforcement, these laws offer direct protection to customers, who have suffered damages as a consequence of these violations.

Current update in the Apple claim:

2 December 2025 – In the Apple iOS App Store case, the Court of Justice of the European Union handed down a judgment stating that the Netherlands courts have jurisdiction to hear a representative action concerning the alleged anti-competitive conduct of an operator of an online platform, such as Apple in relation to its App Store aimed at the Dutch market. The Court of Justice recalled settled case-law which allows the claimant to bring an action on the basis of the place where the damage occurred. “In that context, the Court finds that that identification of the place where the damage occurred, in order to determine the court having jurisdiction, meets the objectives of proximity, predictability of the rules governing jurisdiction, and the sound administration of justice,” it stated in its press release.

PARTNERS

The Consumer Justice Foundation has retained the prestigious law firms and works together with professional funders with great expertise in class actions. The Consumer Justice Foundation engaged bureau Brandeis as counsel in collaboration with Hagens Berman EMEA LLP as the funder of the claims, to assist with the Foundation's mission. More information on these firms can be found at bureaubrandeis.com and hbemealaw.com. Hagens Berman EMEA LLP is the sibling office of US-based Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP (hbsslaw.com), which was named as top US class-action practice of the year for its pioneering work in this area of law.

OUR GOVERNANCE

In order to promote transparency and give you a better understanding of our work, the Consumer Justice Foundation would like to explain in more detail how it upholds compliance with the law and how it is governed through various entities and management protocols. These entities include the Foundation itself, its board of directors, and the supervisory board. Additionally, the funder is relevant as well as the law firms litigating on behalf of the Consumer Justice Foundation.

The Consumer Justice Foundation is funded by Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP through Hagens Berman EMEA LLP in London. In exchange for funding, developing and supporting the procedure and for its expertise in these areas, Hagens Berman receives a maximum of 25% of the compensation realized by the Consumer Justice Foundation, or less depending on the amount of the award and or costs made. The amount of the potential funders fee is also to be assessed by the court in order to secure it is reasonable and fair given the cost made and risk taken.

Our Foundation is governed by a supervised board of directors, whose activities are managed by the Claim Code (2019), which is also published on our website. The board of directors is therefore bound by this Claim Code and report on it annually. Board members receive a fee for expenses related to the functioning of the Consumer Justice Foundation and for attending meetings. These amounts are determined by the Supervisory Board. The board meets as often as the directors call a meeting and each director has one vote.

The supervisory board oversees the policy and strategy of the board of directors and the general affairs of the Consumer Justice Foundation. The supervisory board also advises the management board, an additional key component to our governance. The supervisory board meets at least once a year and each member has one vote.

Additional information about our board members:

Board members are reimbursed with compensation of €250 per hour for their efforts. Reasonable travel, accommodation and meal costs will also be reimbursed.
Supervisory Board Members receive an hourly fee of €250, capped at five hours per month.
None of the board members has a conflict of interest with the Consumer Justice Foundation, nor any interest that would jeopardize their independence.
The Energy Claim is funded by Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP through Hagens Berman EMEA LLP in London. In exchange for funding, developing and supporting the procedure and for its expertise in these areas, Hagens Berman receives a maximum of 25% of the compensation realized by the Foundation as stipulated above.