A divided Supreme Court, ruled on a 5-4 split decision along ideological lines, that corporations can enforce arbitration clauses to block dissatisfied customers from bring class-action lawsuits. Consumer rights advocates said this ruling would spell the end for small claims involving products or services. Other business lawyers said class-action claims rarely work to the benefit of consumers anyway.

The ruling was a result of a California lawsuit that involved cellphones, but it's impact is nationwide.  In the case before the court, a Southern California couple complained about a $30 charge involving their purchase of cellphone service from AT&T Mobility. The California courts said they were entitled to join with others in bringing a class-action claim against the cellphone company.

But the Supreme Court reversed that decision Wednesday in AT&T Mobility vs. Concepcion. Justice Antonin Scalia said companies may require buyers to sign arbitration agreements, and those agreements may preclude class-action claims. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. formed the majority.

Read more direct from the sources:

ProgramBusiness.com - Apr 28, 2011 
Supreme Court Rules that Firms Can Block Customer Class-Action Suits 

Los Angeles Times - Apr 28, 2011 
Companies can block customers' class-action lawsuits, Supreme Court rules