UK class actions: What’s new, what’s changing and what’s coming next

Following Ashurst’s recent conference, three experts regroup to pick out the most pressing trends and risks stemming from class actions in the UK. Jon Gale, partner at Ashurst’s Dispute Resolution practice in London, is joined by colleagues Tim West and Sarah-Jane Dobson to reflect on the highlights from the firm's recent class actions conference. Together, they discuss the evolving landscape of class actions including litigation funding, competition claims, and more. The conference showcased an array of experts including clients, claimant law firms, barristers, and funders. One highlight was the keynote speech from Mr Justice Robin Knowles CBE, who stressed the essential role of class actions in the legal system and the permanence of commercial funding in such claims. In the podcast, Tim stresses the importance of understanding class actions from a client’s perspective, emphasising that these cases (and the associated risks) often attract C-suite attention. He also discusses the rising prevalance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns, with potential class actions arising from the gaps between corporate promises and practices. Sarah-Jane discusses the varied treatment of class actions across sectors, particularly in competition and product liability cases. She anticipates a further rise in class actions, especially in sectors like life sciences and consumer protection. The trio also explore litigation funding, discussing the significance of external financial backing for large class actions and the impact of the Supreme Court’s recent PACCAR ruling on funding structures. To hear more episodes on class actions and a range of other subjects, subscribe to Ashurst Legal Outlook on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform. The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Listeners should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.