Group action litigation

Group actions are finally becoming commonplace in the English courts as a means by which claimants who might otherwise be priced out of litigation can obtain access to justice, thanks both to advances in technology and more sophisticated funding arrangements. Penningtons Manches Cooper’s specialist group action lawyers are widely recognised as market leaders in this growing field.

Group action claims for collective justice and compensation

Group actions or collective enforcement empower individuals and businesses to seek justice and compensation together with others when they have been wronged. This legal approach is particularly impactful for claimants who might find the costs and risks of pursuing a claim alone to be prohibitive. By joining forces, claimants can share these burdens, making it feasible to pursue substantial redress that might otherwise be out of reach.

For many, the financial and emotional toll of seeking compensation individually can be overwhelming. Group actions alleviate this by distributing the costs and risks among all participants. This collective strength can lead to significant, life-changing compensation for those involved. For example, consumers mis-sold financial products, investors who have suffered due to professional negligence, or businesses harmed by unfair practices can all benefit from the power of a group action. This approach ensures that even those with limited resources have a viable path to justice.

Our firm stands out in this field, having been recognised by Chambers UK and the Legal 500 for our commercial acumen and clear communication.

Our experienced group action lawyers have recovered millions of pounds in damages for a wide array of clients. We handle high-profile, high-value group actions stemming from financial mis-selling, professional negligence, and other significant issues. Our proven track record, innovative strategies, and strong reputation enable us to handle claims more efficiently and effectively than our competitors, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our clients.

Thank you for all your help and assistance in resolving this issue. You have managed the work and correspondence brilliantly and I, for one, am glad it is now all over.

When a group action has strong merits, third-party funding or conditional fee agreements (no win no fee) can be crucial. These funding options remove the barrier of upfront legal costs, making it easier for claimants to pursue their cases. Our lawyers are adept at navigating these funding mechanisms and are committed to explaining how they work in practice. We prioritise regular communication, ensuring that our clients are informed and involved at every stage of the claims process.

If you believe you have a claim that could benefit from a group action, we are here to help. Our team is ready to discuss your situation, explore your options, and guide you through the process to achieve the justice and compensation you deserve.

How we help our clients

Business interruption insurance claims

Financial spread betting and CFD trading group action claims

Leveraged ETF withdrawal claim

NFUM business interruption insurance claims

Retail to professional trading classification claim

Professional negligence group claims

Group actions relating to mis selling of cryptocurrencies

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Useful resources

Costs law services

The team provides a seamless and responsive service with timely responses attentive to my own particular circumstances as part of a larger group of litigants.

The team knows what it’s doing and does it well.

The whole team is very good, including the paralegals and trainees. They manage large groups of clients with patience and care.

The lawyers are prompt in their responses.

I can’t thank you all enough for everything you have done for me and my family to recover the money I lost… happy to have gotten the majority of my money back now.

Recent work highlights

Business interruption claims

Acting for thousands of rural business owners seeking compensation for their loss of earnings due to forced closure during the recent Covid-19 pandemic.

Group action claims for financial mis-selling

Acting in relation to financial mis-selling group action claims, concerning swaps, derivatives and other complex financial products, SIPP disputes and undisclosed commission claims – including PPI claims.

Successful Court of Appeal ruling

Successfully defending an application in the High Court by Williams & Co to strike out the group claims as an abuse of process on the basis that they were brought using one claim form.

NFU Mutual Covid-19 business interruption claims

Commencing group action commercial court proceedings against NFU Mutual (NFUM) on behalf of a group of some 90 policyholders in relation to unpaid Covid-19 business interruption claims.

Group claim for private investors

Acting for a group of individuals in a complex, multi-jurisdictional dispute with a foreign lender calling for repayment of the sums due under the mortgages in full and seeking to enforce the terms of the mortgages in England.

Cryptocurrency investment losses

Advising on multiple group actions to recover losses for investors in cryptocurrency through alleged mis-selling.

Claim for property transaction losses

Assisting a group of over 90 claimants in proceedings against Graham & Rosen Solicitors concerning purchases in failed hotel and student accommodation developments.

Ponzi fraud scheme

Representing 21 claimants in a group action to recover sums lost in a Ponzi scheme operated by a fraudulent mortgage broker.

Northern Powerhouse collapse

Acting for over 200 claimants against their former solicitors in relation to the failed Northern Powerhouse property development schemes.

Carlauren care homes scandal

Representing 160 investors in the failed care home investment schemes marketed and sold by the Carlauren group.

Reparation for Hong Kong investors

Acting for a group of 138 Hong Kong private investors in UK fractional sales schemes.

Claim for breach of statutory duty

Representing a group of claimants in proceedings against their former advisers over their alleged breaches of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Claim for property transaction losses

Assisting a group of over 90 claimants in proceedings against Graham & Rosen Solicitors concerning purchases in failed hotel and student accommodation developments.

Ponzi fraud scheme

Representing 21 claimants in a group action to recover sums lost in a Ponzi scheme operated by a fraudulent mortgage broker.

Northern Powerhouse collapse

Acting for over 200 claimants against their former solicitors in relation to the failed Northern Powerhouse property development schemes.

Carlauren care homes scandal

Representing 160 investors in the failed care home investment schemes marketed and sold by the Carlauren group.

Reparation for Hong Kong investors

Acting for a group of 138 Hong Kong private investors in UK fractional sales schemes.

Claim for breach of statutory duty

Representing a group of claimants in proceedings against their former advisers over their alleged breaches of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Case studies

Penningtons Manches Cooper has successfully defended a High Court challenge to a group claim, in a ruling that supports cost-effective collective redress and confirms that multiple claimants can use a single claim form where it is considered convenient.

Our group actions team is representing around 90 businesses in a major Commercial Court claim against NFU Mutual, challenging its refusal to pay Covid-19 business interruption claims — a case with potentially far-reaching implications for insurers.

In November 2016, members of the Brazilian football club Chapecoense were travelling to the 2016 Copa Sudamericana Finals on LaMia Flight 2933. That flight tragically crashed, killing almost all on board, and seriously injuring those that survived.