Group Litigation Order granted in Volkswagen diesel emissions litigation
Group Litigation Order granted in largest consumer group action to come before English Courts
Posted on 25 May 2018
Lawyers representing thousands of individuals in the largest consumer group action before an English court have today received approval for a Group Litigation Order (GLO) at the High Court in London.
The legal action is being brought on behalf of over 60,000 British drivers over allegations that the car maker Volkswagen had software fitted to their vehicles which cheated EU emissions tests.
Under the terms of today’s GLO, Leigh Day have been appointed the joint lead solicitors, alongside Slater & Gordon, and are working with a Steering Committee comprised of other lawyers who represent large numbers of alleged victims of the software.
Potential claimants can now apply to add their names to a Group Register in order to become formally part of the Group Action, whether Leigh Day or other solicitors represent them, so that all claims can be managed together efficiently.
Claimants should have instructed solicitors before 26 October 2018 to ensure they join the group register.
Many GLO's result in the selection of ‘test cases’ through which issues common across all of the claims on the Group Register can be tried. This means that the Court and litigants can save time and costs, whilst also ensuring that their claims are dealt with in a full and fair way.
The terms of the GLO will now be advertised in national newspapers and through social media to ensure that all individuals who believe that they have been affected by the actions of Volkswagen will have a chance to join the action.
Unlike other law firms representing VW owners, Leigh Day are focused on bringing a claim on behalf of UK drivers under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, claiming a refund of at least 50% of the value of their car or finance repayments made on or after 1 October 2014.
VW owners who meet the following criteria can now join the action being brought against VW by Leigh Day:
- The vehicle was bought for personal, not business, use;
- It was bought from an approved Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT or Skoda dealer or acquired it with Volkswagen, Audi, Seat or Skoda Finance; and
- Affected vehicle was paid for, or made finance repayments in relation to it on or after the 1st October 2014
Chris Haan, lead lawyer for the Leigh Day team, explained:
“We would urge anyone who believes they have a vehicle which has been affected by the fitting of this software to allegedly cheat emissions tests to join the group register before the deadline in October.”
If you think you are affected and would like to speak to somebody about whether you can join the Group Action by being added to the Group Register of claims then call our team on 020 7650 1200 or email vwclaims@leighday.co.uk