Table 1 Reasons for judge’s rejection of punitive damages in consumer public interest litigation.

1

Shanxisheng Xiaofeizhexiehui Yu

Yanhao Yishen Minshi Panjueshu (山西省消费者协会与闫浩一审民事判决书) [Shanxi Consumer Association v. Yan Hao], Shuozhou Interm. People’s Ct. No. 36 (29 Sept., 2019).

Food and medicinal product consumption fields

¥30,600

(1) The plaintiff’s punitive damage claim lacks legal basis. (2) The defendant has already been subjected to administrative and criminal penalties, and also bears compensation responsibility to consumers. Based on the above circumstances, it is against the principle of fairness to judge the defendant to bear punitive damages for consumer public interest litigation.

2

Xuwenqiao Deng Xiaoshou Youdu Youhai Shipinzui Yishen Xingshi Panjueshu (徐文巧等销售有毒、有害食品罪一审刑事判决书) [Longshan District People’s Procuratorate v. Xu Wenqiao et al.], Longshan Primary People’s Ct. No. 220 (22 Nov., 2018).

Food and medicinal product consumption fields

¥55,500,000

The plaintiff’s request for punitive damages has insufficient legal basis.

3

Lengguilin Wangguoqi Chanpinzerenjiufen Yishen Minshi Panjueshu (冷桂林、王国旗产品责任纠纷一审民事判决书) [The Second Branch of Shanghai People’s Procuratorate v. Leng Guilin and Wang Guoqi], Shanghai Third Interm. People’s Ct. No. 24 (12 Jun., 2020).

Food and medicinal product consumption fields

¥8,675,208.64

The evidence provided by the plaintiff is not sufficient to prove their punitive damages claim.

4

Luoxiuying Zhangliangqiu Yishen Minshi Panjueshu (罗秀英、张良秋一审民事判决书) [Xiejiaji District People’s Procuratorate v. Luo Xiuying et al.], Xiejiaji Primary People’s Ct. No. 861 (23 Sept., 2019).

Food and medicinal product consumption fields

¥3,150,000

The plaintiff does not have the subject qualification to claim punitive damages, and the plaintiff’s claim for punitive damages has no legal basis.

5

Xingshifudaiminshisusong Beigao Dengzaigang Lihanlin Shengchan Xiaoshou Youdu Youhai Shipinzui Yishen Xingshi Panjueshu (刑事附带民事诉讼被告邓在刚、李汉林生产、销售有毒、有害食品罪一审刑事判决书) [Pidu District People’s Procuratorate v. Deng Zaigang and Li Hanlin], Pidu Primary People’s Ct. No. 591 (30 Dec., 2019).

Food and medicinal product consumption fields

¥3,950,320

(1) There is currently no evidence to prove that unspecified consumers have suffered actual damage. (2) If the defendant is judged to bear punitive damages, it will lead to their bankruptcy, which is not conducive to achieving true social fairness.

6

Mayehui Weikongxin Guangxizhuangzuzizhiqu Guigangshi Renminjianchayuan Deng Qinhai Jitijingjizuzhichengyuanquanyijiufen Ershen Minshi Panjueshu (马业辉、韦孔鑫、广西壮族自治区贵港市人民检察院等侵害集体经济组织成员权益纠纷二审民事判决书) [Guigang People’s Procuratorate v. Ma Yehui et al.], Guangxi High People’s Ct. No. 227 (22 Aug., 2019).

Food and medicinal product consumption fields

¥57,758.71

According to current law, punitive damages for consumer public interest litigation are not within the scope of trial.

7

Yangchunchao Shengchan Xiaoshou Weiliechanpinzui Ershen Xingshi Panjueshu (杨春超生产、销售伪劣产品罪二审刑事判决书) [Wuchang District People’s Procuratorate v. Yang Chunchao], Wuhan Interm. People’s Ct. No. 200 (24 Dec., 2019).

Food and medicinal product consumption fields

¥4,139,355

The plaintiff’s claim for punitive damages in consumer public interest litigation violates the law.

8

Mamou Mamoumou Shengchan Xiaoshou Weiliechanpinzui Yishen Xingshi Panjueshu (马某、马某某生产、销售伪劣产品罪一审刑事判决书) [Shuangqiao District People’s Procuratorate v. Ma et al.], Shuangqiao Primary People’s Ct. No. 272 (3 Nov., 2020).

Food and medicinal product consumption fields

¥1,862,430

The plaintiff did not submit evidence of damage.

9

Guodongfang Guoyifang Gaojiafu Shengchan Xiaoshou Youdu Youhai Shipinzui Yishen Xingshi Panjueshu (郭东方、郭益方、高加富生产、销售有毒、有害食品罪一审刑事判决书) [Qingyang District People’s Procuratorate v. Guo Dongfang et al.], Qingyang Primary People’s Ct. No. 630 (9 Dec., 2020).

Food and medicinal product consumption fields

¥1,617,440.90

(1) According to current law, only consumers can claim punitive damages. (2) If the defendant is sentenced to punitive damages for consumer public interest litigation, it will lead to the defendant’s bearing a huge amount of debt, which is not conducive to achieving true fairness.

10

Tangdecai Xiaoshoubufuheanquanbiaozhundeshipinzui Xingshi Yishen Panjueshu (唐德才销售不符合安全标准的食品罪刑事一审刑事判决书) [Anzhou District People’s Procuratorate v. Tang Decai], Anzhou Primary People’s Ct. No. 7 (4 Dec., 2020).

Food and medicinal product consumption fields

¥3,406,250

There is no evidence to prove that the defendant’s illegal behaviour caused actual damage to consumers, and the plaintiff’s punitive damages claim lacks legal basis.

11

Wangshangfei Liujijuan Yishen Minshi Panjueshu (汪尚飞、刘纪娟一审民事判决书) [Yuhui District People’s Procuratorate v. Wang Shangfei and Liu Jijuan], Yuhui Primary People’s Ct. No. 2194 (25 Dec., 2020).

Food and medicinal product consumption fields

¥1,712,616

The plaintiff’s claim for punitive damages lacks legal basis.

12

Sichuansheng

Baohuxiaofeizhequanyiweiyuanhui Yanpan Tangbin Deng Qinquanzerenjiufen Yishen Minshi Panjueshu (四川省保护消费者权益委员会、闫攀、唐斌等侵权责任纠纷一审民事判决书) [Sichuan Consumer Association v. Yan Pan et al.], Chengdu Interm. People’s Ct. No. 5508 (8 May, 2021).

General consumption field

¥2,935,545

The plaintiff’s claim for punitive damages has insufficient legal basis.