Class Actions

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Class actions in Europe are on the rise, with a number of countries already adopting a US-style ‘opt-out’ model. 

CMS’ leading dispute resolution team helps clients to develop class action defence strategies aligned with their business priorities. We understand that class actions can have very significant financial and reputational impact, as well as absorbing considerable management time.

With one of the strongest European footprints of any major law firm, we can provide a cohesive defence of the largest matters, seamlessly handling multiple overlapping claims across a range of jurisdictions.

"CMS are very sophisticated and creative in their approach, work proactively and have an excellent litigation team."

Chambers, 2024

"The whole team is very supportive and efficient. Their collaborative approach enables members of the litigation team to perform to their best."

Chambers, 2024

"They boast an impressive team at all levels, enabling them to provide an efficient and cost-effective service tailored to a client's specific needs."

Chambers, 2024
12/09/2023
CMS European Class Actions Report 2023
Data-driven insights into class action risk across Europe, a key concern for major corporates
09/05/2023
Class Actions Law Review, 7th Edition 2023: Scotland
Scotland’s first formal class action mechanism, known as ‘group procedure’, was introduced on 31 July 2020. Primary legislation was required to introduce the new procedure. The Civil Litigation...
07/07/2022
CMS European Class Actions Report 2022
Data driven insights into  class action risk across Europe, a key concern for major corporates

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12/02/2024
Commission Recovery Limited v Marks & Clerk LLP: the Court of Appeal leaves...
The representative proceedings mechanism codified in CPR r 19.8(1) allows a claimant to pursue an opt-out class action as the representative of a wider class, provided that they and all members of the...
21/12/2023
Representative proceedings: bifurcation tested in two claims
Representative proceedings are a potentially powerful class action mechanism in that they can operate on an “opt-out” basis and that they are available for all causes of action.  This can be contrasted...
05/12/2023
Jagger and others v AXA Insurance UK Plc [2023] 7 WLUK 263 – Three Strikes...
The Court has found that it was an abuse of process to rely on the evidence of an expert whose independence was in question, as well as issuing the claims for significantly less than they were later amended...
14/09/2023
CMS - In View: Life Sciences & Healthcare update webinar
CMS is delighted to invite you to the next instalment of our Life Sciences & Healthcare update webinar, where experts from across the firm discuss key industry topics impacting, innovating and disrupting...
12/09/2023
CMS European Class Actions Report 2023
Data-driven insights into class action risk across Europe, a key concern for major corporates
03/08/2023
ClientEarth’s derivative claim against directors for alleged breaches of...
IntroductionThe High Court has reaffirmed its earlier judgment and dismissed ClientEarth’s derivative claim brought against Shell plc (“Shell”) and its Board of Directors. ClientEarth claimed that...
28/07/2023
The Supreme Court deals blow to litigation funding and collective proceedings...
On 26 July 2023, the Supreme Court handed down judgment in R (on the application of PACCAR Inc and others) (“Ap­pel­lants”) v Competition Appeal Tribunal and others (“Re­spond­ents”) [2023] UKSC...
30/05/2023
High Court rejects CPR 19.8 class action, demonstrating challenges of mass...
On 19 May the English High Court rejected an ‘opt-out’ class action brought on behalf of approximately 1.6 million people in Andrew Prismall v (1) Google UK Limited and (2) DeepMind Technologies Limited...
09/05/2023
Class Actions Law Review, 7th Edition 2023: Scotland
Scotland’s first formal class action mechanism, known as ‘group procedure’, was introduced on 31 July 2020. Primary legislation was required to introduce the new procedure. The Civil Litigation...
08/03/2023
The Tate Modern Viewing Gallery Case: Implications for Planning
On 1 February 2023, the Supreme Court handed down their much-awaited judgment in Fearn and others v Board of Trustees of the Tate Gallery,[1] finding that the impacts of the Tate Modern’s viewing gallery...
03/03/2023
High Court approves first CPR 19.6 representative action since Lloyd v...
The High Court has approved the use of the CPR 19.6 representative action mechanism in an “opt-out” class action brought by Commission Recovery (Commission Recovery Ltd v Marks & Clerk LLP and Long...
23/12/2022
International Disputes Digest - 2022 Winter Edition
Welcome to the winter edition of the International Disputes Digest, our bi-annual publication that considers and analyses current trends in global dis­pute-res­ol­u­tion and their wider impact. With war raging...