The High Court’s support for omnibus claim forms in Stuart Angel v Black Horse Ltd streamlines access to justice for thousands of claimants, especially in consumer finance.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal’s decision in AXA Sun Life v HMRC refines the binding nature of group litigation order (GLO) issues, stressing precision and fairness.
In Wirral Council v Indivior, the court reaffirmed its discretion over representative claims, warning against their use for strategic advantage or ‘book-building’. Litigation funders must now justify their involvement with clarity.
The Civil Justice Council’s proposed reforms—including a unified contingent fee regime and light-touch regulation—aim to simplify funding and enhance consumer protection. The authors conclude that while representative claims offer efficiency, flexibility and careful procedural choice remain vital.
