One of the largest class actions in UK history is set to return to court for a hearing next month. Millions of consumers in the UK could see payouts of hundreds of pounds each in an action claiming the credit giant charged unlawfully high fees between May 1992 and June 2008.
An LFJ Conversation with Michael Kelley, Partner, Parker Poe
One of the largest class actions in UK history is set to return to court for a hearing next month. Millions of consumers in the UK could see payouts of hundreds of pounds each in an action claiming the credit giant charged unlawfully high fees between May 1992 and June 2008.
Money Saving Expert details that law firm Quinn Emanuel launched the action against Mastercard in 2016. The case alleges that in addition to businesses enduring fees, the costs were likely passed on to consumers regardless of what payment methods they used for purchases. As such, anyone over age 16 who made purchases during the impacted time frame is represented in the case, provided they lived in the UK for three consecutive months.
The Mastercard case is the first mass consumer claim being brought under the provisions of the Consumer Rights Act of 2015. The case is made possible because of the new collective action regime, and thanks to funding from Innsworth Capital Limited. The funder has pledged GBP 60 million toward the case and will take a percentage of any monies awarded.
Mastercard insists that the claim is actually being pushed by US litigators as a money-making scheme. Spokespeople from Mastercard disagree with the claims made and assert that their payment technology has provided benefits to UK citizens. The March hearing will determine if the case will proceed.
