MasterCard is facing a £19 billion (US$24.5 billion) class-action lawsuit for anticompetitive conduct, making it the biggest claim in U.K. history. The landmark case is notable for another reason, as well: It will be the first case filed under the Consumer Rights Act, enacted in October 2015, which expands consumers’ right of redress for losses caused by anti-competitive behavior by advocating the use of private actions.
As Compliance Week previously reported, the law dials up the litigation risk for global businesses, paving the way for more American-style class-action lawsuits in cases where companies might have violated competition law. It also designates the Competition Appeal Tribunal as the primary court for competition claims in the United Kingdom, rather than the High Court.
