1572/7/7/22; 1582/7/7/23 Ad Tech Collective Action LLP v Alphabet Inc. & Others

This is Case 1572/7/7/22; 1582/7/7/23 Ad Tech Collective Action LLP ("Ad Tech") against (1) Alphabet Inc; (2) Google LLC; (3) Google Ireland limited; and (4) Google UK Limited (together, "Google"), formerly Case 1572/7/7/22 Mr Claudio Pollack against Google (filed on 30 November 2022), and Case 1582/7/7/23 Mr Charles Arthur against Google (filed on 29 March 2023), until these claims were consolidated by the Order of the Tribunal dated 26 October 2023.

The claims by Ad Tech (the Class Representative) are for loss and damage allegedly caused by Google's breach of statutory duty by their infringement of section 18 of the Competition Act 1998 and Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Ad Tech seeks to recover damages to compensate UK-domiciled publishers and publisher partners, for alleged harm in the form of lower revenues caused by Google's conduct in the ad tech sector.

A case management conference took place on 19 May 2023. The Tribunal issued a Judgment on the management of the carriage dispute (in relation to Cases 1572/7/7/22 and 1582/7/7/23) on 26 May 2023 ([2023] CAT 34).

A hearing to determine Messrs Pollack and Arthur's consolidation application took place on 16 October 2023. The President made a reasoned order on 26 October 2023 consolidating those claims.

By an Order of the President dated 23 January 2024, the certification hearing listed to commence on 29 January 2024 was adjourned. The certification hearing took place on 8-10 May 2024. On 5 June 2024 the Tribunal issued its judgment granting Ad Tech's application for a Collective Proceedings Order ("CPO") ([2024] CAT 38). The Tribunal refused an application by Google for permission to appeal the certification judgment on 28 October 2024, and a CPO was made on 14 January 2025.