12 U.S.C. § 5564 — Litigation authority

(a) In general. Subject to sections 5514, 5515, and 5516, the Bureau^* may bring a civil action against a person^* who violates a Federal consumer financial law^*. It may seek a civil penalty and all appropriate legal or equitable relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction when law permits. (b) Representation. The Bureau may enforce this title, its rules, and other laws or regulations, and participate in actions to which it is a party, in its own name through its own attorneys. (c) Compromise. The Bureau may settle an action if the court approves. (d) Notice to Attorney General. (1) When starting a civil action under a Federal consumer^* financial law or rule, the Bureau must notify the Attorney General and, for an insured depository institution or insured credit union^*, the appropriate prudential regulator^*. (2)(A) Besides (1), it must notify the Attorney General about every action or proceeding to which it is a party, except one involving offering or providing consumer financial products or services. (B) To avoid conflicts and promote consistency, the Attorney General and Bureau must consult about coordinating investigations and proceedings and must negotiate a coordination agreement no later than 180 days after the designated transfer date^*. The agreement must ensure that parallel Federal-consumer-financial-law investigations and proceedings avoid conflicts and do not hinder the Attorney General’s ability to prosecute Federal criminal-law violations. (C) This paragraph does not limit Bureau authority, including authority to interpret Federal consumer financial law. (e) The Bureau may represent itself before the Supreme Court if it makes a written request to the Attorney General within the 10-day period beginning when judgment is entered that permits a certiorari petition, and the Attorney General agrees or does not act within 60 days of the request. (f) Forum. An action under this title may be brought in a United States district court or a competent State^* court in a district where the defendant is located, resides, or does business. The court may enjoin the person and require compliance with Federal consumer financial law. (g)(1) Except as otherwise allowed by law or equity, an action under this title must be brought within 3 years after discovery of the violation. (2)(A) An action under this title does not include a claim arising only under an enumerated consumer law. (B) In an action arising only under such a law, the Bureau may start, defend, or join the action as that law requires. (C) The same applies to an action arising only under laws whose authority was transferred under subtitles F and H.