The UK High Court strikes out a representative claim brought on behalf of “all other direct or indirect purchasers of air freight services”, refusing to stretch the scope of the English civil procedure rules in order to encourage the bringing of private damages actions (Emerald Supplies / British Airways)

In striking out a representative claim brought on behalf of “all other direct or indirect purchasers of air freight services”, the English High Court has refused to stretch the scope of the English civil procedure rules in order to facilitate the bringing of such damages actions. Background The background to the case can be traced back to dawn raids undertaken by the European Commission, and a number of other competition authorities, in February 2006. Subsequently, the Commission sent 26 airlines a Statement of Objections on 18 December 2007 and a five day oral hearing was held in Brussels between 30 June and 4 July 2008. No final decision, though, has yet been adopted by the