Michael O’Higgins FX Class Representative Ltd v Barclays Bank plc

Subject Matter

COMPETITION — Competition Appeal Tribunal — Collective proceedings order — Factors informing choice between opt-in and opt-out proceedings including strength of claims and practicability of claims to be brought as opt-in proceedings — Meaning of “strength of the claims” — Proper approach to assessment of strength — Whether practicability to be assessed from viewpoint of proposed class representative or members of class concerned — Proper approach to assessment where class comprising members with varying degrees of knowledge and experience — Competition Appeal Tribunal Rules 2015 (SI 2015/1648), r 79(3)

[2022] CAT 16; [2022] Bus LR 1334; [2022] WLR(D) 161, CAT

COMPETITION — Competition Appeal Tribunal — Collective proceedings order — Proposed class representatives bringing rival applications for collective proceedings order on opt-out basis — Whether Competition Appeal Tribunal having jurisdiction to consider certifying proceedings on opt-in basis — Relative importance of strength of claim in determining whether proceedings to be opt-in or opt-out — Application of test of practicability — Appropriate criteria to apply in selecting between rival class representatives — Competition Act 1998, s 47B — Competition Appeal Tribunal Rules 2015 (SI 2015/1648), r 79(3)(a)(b)

[2023] EWCA Civ 876; [2024] Bus LR 366; [2024] 1 All ER (Comm) 573; [2023] WLR(D) 492, CA

EVIDENCE — Admissibility — Findings of fact in earlier proceedings — Proposed class representatives in application for collective proceedings order seeking to rely on European Commission findings in different action to support their case on causation — Whether findings admissible

[2023] EWCA Civ 876; [2024] Bus LR 366; [2024] 1 All ER (Comm) 573; [2023] WLR(D) 492, CA

COMPETITION — Competition Appeal Tribunal — Appeal therefrom — Proposed class representatives applying for collective proceedings order — Tribunal ruling on issues relevant to applications — Whether tribunal’s rulings constituting “decision … in collective proceedings … as to the award of damages” and therefore within scope of statutory appeal route — Whether alternatively rulings challengable by way of judicial review — Competition Act 1998 (c 41), s 49(1A)(a)

[2023] EWCA Civ 876; [2024] Bus LR 366; [2024] 1 All ER (Comm) 573; [2023] WLR(D) 492, CA

Appellate History

Commentary

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