The UK Government opts into class actions

Government proposals in brief The Government’s proposals are contained in its response to the consultation on options for reform of private competition actions in the UK. The proposals seek to establish the CAT as the major venue for competition actions in the UK. Most notably, they would give the CAT the power to hear “opt-out collective actions”, that is, any claim for damages for breach of applicable competition laws brought on behalf of a class of claimants on an opt-out basis. Although the Government’s response is silent on the point, it is to be presumed that claims for damages breach of the UK Competition Act and/or for breach of Article 101 or 102 TFEU could be brought before the CAT on a collective basis. The proposals would also put the CAT on an equal procedural footing with