(a)  In any action brought by the attorney general pursuant either to this chapter or to the federal antitrust laws, or both, for the recovery of damages or other proper relief, the attorney general may enter into agreements relating to the investigation and litigation of the action with any other party plaintiff who has brought a similar action and with whom the attorney general finds it advantageous to act jointly or to share common expenses or to cooperate in any manner relative to the action. The attorney general may enter settlements with defendants that provide for the payment of money to plaintiffs.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 6-36-14

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.

(b)  The attorney general may cooperate with officials of the federal government and of the several states in the investigation and enforcement of violations to the end that implementation of this chapter will be accomplished in the most equitable and efficient manner possible.

(c)  The attorney general may establish a division of antitrust within the department of attorney general to enforce this chapter, and he or she may employ any assistant attorneys general, special assistant attorneys general, economic analysts, investigators, and clerical staff that may be required to support the division.

History of Section.
P.L. 1979, ch. 98, § 1.