United Kingdom: Class Actions

The Competition Appeal Tribunal has partially approved collective proceedings against Apple and Amazon, certifying claims related to on-platform pricing while rejecting off-platform allegations.

The Law Commission is considering whether the UK should introduce a new opt-out class action regime to make it easier for groups of consumers to bring claims relating to unlawful business practices. This potential reform could significantly change how large-scale consumer claims are handled, particularly where many people have been affected by the same conduct, though questions remain about how to ensure compensation reaches those entitled to it.

Drawing on Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer’s experience acting in many of the leading class actions before the English courts, this book provides practical guidance for practitioners, clients and others navigating this rapidly evolving area of litigation.

British American Tobacco's $1.1 billion settlement with US authorities over North Korean sanctions violations appeared to close one chapter, but opened another as the company now faces multibillion-pound shareholder litigation in London and terrorism-related civil claims. This case illustrates how multinational corporations must carefully navigate the collateral consequences of government enforcement resolutions, as admissions made to one jurisdiction can fuel derivative litigation across multiple forums an

The Supreme Court has clarified the circumstances in which courts may order that a judgment on a Group Litigation Order (GLO) issue is not binding on other parties when there has been a subsequent change in the law. The decision establishes that such orders should only be made in rare cases where it has been clearly established that the legal basis for the test case decision was wrong...

The Court of Appeal has rejected Meta's challenge to Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen's amendment of her pleadings to include a claim for 'user damages' in a competition law case concerning Facebook's collection of personal data. This decision opens up another potential claim against tech companies for alleged misuse of consumer data, with the question of whether such damages will be awarded to be decided at trial in October 2028.

UK Supreme Court judge Lord Briggs warns that AI is enabling a 'tsunami of claims' that threatens to overwhelm the civil justice system, as individuals gain unprecedented access to sophisticated tools for generating legal documents at minimal cost.

Class action filings have surged in recent years and show no signs of slowing. Jones Day Partners Nathalie Smyth, Christine Tran, and Yuri Wehrmeijer discuss...

When business conditions are more volatile, litigation and enforcement risk increases. The forces currently challenging multinationals—from geopolitical upheaval and regulatory change to the development of artificial intelligence and escalating cyber threats—also expose them to the risk of disputes.