WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has centralized lawsuits accusing Epiq Systems Inc. and other class action service providers of participating in a kickback scheme with two banks to maintain market dominance in settlement administration.

On Dec. 12, the panel transferred the five class actions to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, explaining that centralization of all claims, including the digital payment kickback claims, “will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of this litigation.”

The lawsuits claim that Epiq, Angeion Group and JND Legal …