The association asserts the violation of rights of the general public within a group action. The violation of some rights cannot be asserted in the form of a group action. In general, there is only a right of action if the plaintiff is violated in his/her rights. An exception is given in the right of group actions where associations have the possibility of leading a lawsuit without asserting a violation of their own rights. This exception provides the possibility of taking action against certain disadvantaged structures and procedures even though there is no directly affected person who wants to sue. The group action serves the collective legal protection. Associations have to fulfil the preconditions to make use of a group action. This provides for proper usage and the security that collective interests are being pursued.

Associations completely bear the court costs because they sue independently.

There are possibilities to lead a group action on the federal and the state level.