UPDATE 2-EU Commission wants antitrust lawsuits made easier

(Adds UK Law Society reaction)

By David Lawsky

BRUSSELS, April 3 (Reuters) - Consumers should be able to exercise their legal right to recover billions of euros a year from companies that fix prices and the EU must clear the way, the European Commission said on Thursday.

The Commission, executive arm of the European Union, laid out a plan to sweep aside legal and procedural hurdles that discourage recovery by victims of cartels.

Consumers would also be able to sue for damages from companies that abused their dominance in future cases similar to the Microsoft antitrust case.

Most antitrust actions in Europe originate from the Commission or competition authorities in the EU's 27 member states. By contrast, more than four out of five antitrust actions in the United States are brought privately.

"The right of victims to compensation is guaranteed by community law," a Commission document said, adding that the "victims are foregoing ... several billions of euros a year."

The Commission proposals stop short of the U.S. system, criticised in Europe as creating havoc through lengthy, broad class actions that can vacuum up evidence and result in treble damages.

"We have the luxury of learning from your experiences in this area and it's no great secret they aren't all positive," Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes told U.S. antitrust lawyers last week.