Our attorneys' report from the US Supreme Court is that this morning’s oral argument didn’t reveal which way the majority was leaning in Imburgia v. DIRECTV.

Supreme Court will hear DirecTV's bid to block suit over early cancellation fees

The Supreme Court's conservative justices have long been skeptical of class-action lawsuits that may be profitable for trial lawyers but can be costly to companies.

Judges in California have leaned the other way, fearing consumers and employees will be shortchanged if they cannot sue as a class.

Seven years ago, Consumer Watchdog’s legal team brought a class action lawsuit against DIRECTV on behalf of California customers who were charged unlawful early cancellation fees of up to $480 – often taken directly out of a consumer’s bank account or charged to a credit card without the customer’s permission. Next month, the U.S.

Santa Monica, CA — Consumer Watchdog, the California-based non-profit that sued DIRECTV for abusive practices 7 years ago on behalf of overcharged consumers, hailed the Federal Trade Commission’s decision to take legal action against the satellite company for similar anti-consumer practices.

Imburgia v. DIRECTV Inc., No. B239361 (Cal. Ct. App. Apr. 7, 2014)

Santa Monica, CA — DIRECTV’s arbitration clause does not bar DIRECTV customers from suing the company for illegal early termination fees, the California Court of Appeal ruled Monday afternoon. The decision allows the case to proceed to trial.

Law360, Chicago (April 08, 2014, 3:22 PM ET) -- A California appeals court on Monday refused to send to arbitration a consumer class action accusing DirecTV Inc. of failing to disclose early termination fees, finding that a waiver of class claims in the company’s arbitration agreement with customers was unenforceable under state law.

Click here to read more on this case.

On March 19, 2014, the California Court of Appeal will hold a hearing on DIRECTV’s attempt to force its customers who were wrongly charged early cancellation penalties to bring claims individually before private arbitrators rather than proceed in court as a class action.

Decision eliminates big obstacle in class action over early cancellations.

LOS ANGELES - A state court judge on Thursday denied attempts by broadcast satellite provider DirecTV Inc. to compel arbitration in a class action that alleges consumers were illegally charged up to $480 in early cancellation fees.