The Approval and Interpretation of Consent Decrees in Civil Rights Class Action Litigation

Lloyd C. Anderson, University of Akron School of Law

Abstract

The quest for social justice in America requires creative approaches to the enforcement of basic legal rights. As the Supreme Court continues to diminish the role of the federal courts as a catalyst for reform, the need for innovative solutions has become increasingly urgent. The consent decree, a written settlement formulated by the parties and approved by the judge, is one such innovative alternative. The parties themselves are the primary catalysts for change in this process.