Group Litigation | UK Bar

Henderson Chambers is a noted leader in the field of group litigation and can boast "very strong technical expertise combined with strategic know-how." The set's celebrated barristers routinely appear in the highest profile and most complex group litigation cases. Recent examples include members appearing on both sides of the VW Emissions group litigation and various claims arising out of it. The barristers at Henderson also acted in the easyJet claim, an action by 30,000 claimants in relation to a mass data breach.

2 Temple Gardens has an excellent track record of acting in some of the most significant group litigation cases in recent years. The set leverages expertise in product liability, personal injury and healthcare law to operate in a variety of group claims which span across practice areas and jurisdictions. Recent highlights include members acting for the Bille and Ogale communities against Shell, concerning oil spills in the Niger Delta. One source comments: "2 Temple Gardens' ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters sets the standard to which all chambers compare."

Blackstone Chambers has developed a strong reputation in group litigation and recent years have seen members acting in some of the most significant cases in the field. Examples include Rowe & Others v Ingenious Media Holdings, known as 'The Ingenious Litigation'. Blackstone barristers also acted in Gutman v Apple & Others, a proposed collective action around technical performances of certain iPhone models, and the Co-op equal pay litigation.

Brick Court Chambers is a leading set in competition law and demonstrates particular strength in the emergent class action regime in that field. Members have distinguished themselves by appearing in a number of seminal cases, including Lloyd v Google and Merricks v Mastercard. They have also acted in Evans v Barclay & Others, a high-value collective action related to foreign exchange trading, and represented various parties in the vehicle emissions litigation. One source reports: "Brick Court is generally excellent and is one of the sets I turn to for the most complex competition litigation."

Matrix Chambers has a strong group litigation practice, particularly in cases pertaining to media, communications and data protection. Members of chambers are regularly instructed in major cases in the group litigation space. Recent examples of the work carried out by members of the set include a large class action against News Group Newspapers for alleged unlawful information gathering. The set has also appeared in Ogale Community v Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, an action involving approximately 40,000 people alleging mass oil pollution in mangrove swamps.

Monckton Chambers has built upon its revered competition law practice as a foundation for a significant offering in group litigation, and more particularly representative actions. This year, a member of the set appeared in Boyle v GTR & Others, a collective action that alleged unlawful pricing practices in rail fares, and Lisa Lovdahl Gormsen v Meta, a claim related to the use of user data. Such instructions cement the set's reputation garnered from its involvement in leading cases such as Merricks v Mastercard. A source reports that the set has "superb breadth and depth."

11KBW is a market-leading set for matters pertaining to data protection, privacy, employment and public law and has brought that expertise into its group litigation practice. Barristers from the set are regularly instructed on behalf of claimants and defendants in significant group claims. They have acted in hugely influential cases in the field such as Lloyd v Google. Other recent work highlights include Beck & Others v Police Federation, a class action in connection with a data breach, and Gormsen v Meta, a competition claim against the social network firm for alleged abuse of position related to use of personal data.

3 Verulam Buildings is a leading set for commercial disputes, which has leveraged its impressive expertise to develop a significant presence in group litigation. In recent years, barristers from the set have been instructed in major Section 90A FSMA claims including the RBS Rights Issue litigation and Allianz v RSA Insurance Group. Tenants of 3VB also acted in Farol Holdings v Clydesdale Bank and National Australia Bank, a group action alleging fraud and negligence related to pay swap issues.

One Essex Court has a strong practice in group litigation and is instructed to handle both the defendant and claimant sides of some of the biggest cases taking place. Members of the set have experience in traditional groups, collective actions and multi-party litigation arising from a wide range of areas including data protection, environment, competition and financial services. This year, members of the set have appeared in such high-profile actions as the Fundão Dam litigation.

Outer Temple Chambers has a broad bench of very experienced practitioners who are engaged to handle group litigation matters. The set has numerous areas of expertise including personal injury, clinical negligence, pensions and travel. It has a particularly in-depth knowledge of matters related to equality and discrimination. This year members of the set have appeared in a range of noted cases including Element and Others v Tesco Stores Limited, a claim by thousands of retail employees for equal pay. One source states the set has "a good breadth of expertise across all calls."