Stay on top of updates and developments around key cases across various global jurisdictions.

As thousands of small businesses await COVID-related insurance payouts, insurers maintain that their policies were never meant to cover global pandemics. Whether or not claimants get their due will depend on an upcoming appeal.

Three men from Chorley and one from Leyland are suing auto giant Mercedes over its role in “dieselgate.” Dieselgate impacted multiple car manufacturers, accusing them of using defeat devices to illegally skirt emission standards. National consumer rights firm Slater and Gordon are bringing the claim.

The Competition Appeals Tribunal has granted permission for a class action against British Telecommunications to move forward. The action could be worth as much as GBP 600 million, and asserts rampant overcharging of landline customers. The action is being funded by third-party funder Harbour Litigation Funding.

Three Warrington men are bringing a claim against German carmaker Mercedes, relating to its role in the recent dieselgate scandal. Working with lawyers from consumer rights firm Slater and Gordon, the trio expects the case to become a collective action. Slater and Gordon is also a joint lead attorney in the dieselgate action against Volkswagen.

Nearly 150,000 customers have allegedly been impacted by unscrupulous practices by Australia New Zealand Banking Group. A class action alleges that the banking behemoth failed to refund fees and pay out interest.

When a few Gillette executives left the company to set up shop on their own, Gillette was quick to file multiple complaints against the new company, Shavelogic.  

The Supreme Court of Victoria declined to allow a 25% contingency fee. The decision represents the first time the court has used its power to make a Group Cost Order—which the court determined was preferable to a “no win, no fee” arrangement.

A class action has been launched against insurer IAG after it denied business interruption claims related to COVID-19. The case has been likened to a test case in Australia.

Two men charged with pressuring hundreds of female patients into removing pelvic mesh implants—ostensibly to raise the payout in personal injury claims against device manufacturers—pled guilty to violations of the Federal Travel Act.

A recent class action against Volkswagen Group Australia has been dismissed. Costs have been awarded to the car manufacturer and will be paid by the third-party litigation funder for the plaintiffs.

A third Demark-based foundation has filed a case against TikTok media group over data they claim was harvested illegally. The suit impacted about 4.5 million Dutch users across all age demographics.

Leading legal funder Omni Bridgeway recently announced that it is funding appeals over judgments against Halifax Investment services Pty Ltd, and another Halifax entity—both currently in liquidation.

Follower Notices have been in use since 2014, and refer to a notification given to someone who has used an “avoidance scheme” that was determined to be ineffective by a case against another user. This gives taxpayers an opportunity to adjust or amend their tax filings. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issues these notices frequently, which is considered controversial for a variety of reasons.

Claimants in the Flint water crisis case have been cautioned by a judge not to seek or accept deals for a cash advance on their share of the settlement. Claimants are set to share the $641 million settlement, though the agreement has not yet been given final approval.

Six banks based in China have avoided liability in their role in the Nike Counterfeit case. The banks were cited for failing to freeze the assets of several hundred counterfeiters of Nike goods. Together, the banks faced sanctions of up to $150 million.

Last week, Titan Consortium filed a lengthy petition against Argentina’s government while seeking to enforce an earlier award from 2008. This continues a long dispute regarding the re-nationalization of two Argentinian airlines.

Investors asked for more than $50 million in damages in the Ross Asset Management Ponzi scheme. The case was expected to be heard in the Wellington High Court in 2020 but was delayed. Instead, it ended unceremoniously, with a short statement revealing precious little about the confidential settlement.

The UK case Merricks v Mastercard will move to trial thanks to a new litigation funder for claimants. The case could impact more than 46 million consumers in the UK, who are seeking damages of more than GBP 15 billion.

Investors in Ross Asset Management have recently reached a settlement with ANZ, a joint statement revealed. The case alleged that the bank knew, or should have known, that David Ross was essentially engaged in a Ponzi scheme.

His Honor Judge Cadwallader ruled that a couple suing their former solicitors should be held liable for costs. The Liverpool judge also affirmed that Vanessa and Michael Kennedy breached their agreement with law firm Bermans and the funder, Escalate Law, when they misled their lawyers.

The High Court of Singapore took a dramatic step recently in granting ‘super priority’ status in a corporate restructuring. This is the first time any third-party legal funder has been given such an order since Singapore’s IRDA became law in 2018

New Jersey’s new disclosure rule regarding third-party legal funding is in effect. As such, a recent climate change case saw the disclosure of a non-profit providing limited funding for attorney…

A lawsuit brought by Union Investment, Germany’s third-largest asset manager, is not welcome news for banks and bondholders. Wirecard is accused of making more than 70 statements, including corporate press releases, that are being described as fraudulent.

A motion to compel disclosure of a funding agreement was denied in a recent case accusing Southwest Airlines and Boeing of collusion to cover fatal aircraft defects. Damonie Earl et al v Boeing revolves around allegations that Southwest and Boeing colluded to mislead ticket buyers about 737 Max Jets—which were defective.

Leading litigation funder Omni Bridgeway is currently investigating claims made by CMC Markets’ Crude Oil West Texas Intermediate Cash product. Investors are encouraged to register their interest in a potential class action relating to investment losses and damages. This is not book building, but rather a gauge of interest in the matter.

In 2016, anti-trust proceedings were filed against Mayne Pharma, asserting that it conspired with other defendants to artificially inflate generic pharmaceutical prices and restrain trade. This led to a 10% price drop over several days of trading.

Attorneys for a class-action case filed against Lloyds of London are asking other affected businesses to join the action. The focus of the case involves business interruption insurance, and whether or not COVID-related closures should be covered.

Sometimes an NDA feels so basic there doesn’t seem to be a need to read it. At the same time, not reading something before you sign is folly—unless you’re talking about iTunes terms and conditions. In a recent case, Harcus Sinclair LLP v Your Lawyers Ltd, a partner in a law firm admitted to not reading the NDA before signing. Not surprisingly, the judges were not amused. This oversight caused pointedly negative consequences for the law firm and the litigation funder.