We’re here to help you with all group litigation actions. Discreet and understanding, we’ll be on your side as you go through the process.
Our team frequently provides guidance and representation for claims against solicitors, accountants, Trustees and building developers. We assess your case and handle your claim in accordance with the Civil Procedure rules, working with the advisor’s solicitors to resolve your claim quickly and cost-effectively. We prefer to use mediation whenever possible.
Over the years, we’ve represented multinational groups of clients from the UK, USA, Australia, the Middle East, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. Typically, we run such claims on a Contingency Fee, Conditional Fee or Damages Based Agreement basis, so a variation of “no win, no fee” or “no win, low fee”, as the case may be. Group actions are more cost-effective for you than an individual claim and enable individuals to seek justice without the barrier of legal costs.
We most often act on the following matters:
Failed off-plan development
In the last ten years, the UK has seen a boom in international property investment, often involving off-plan developments with a promise of a fixed rate of return. Unfortunately, there was a corresponding increase in bad actors, and these complex transactions often ended in half-complete, unsafe developments running out of money. This left individual buyers with no money, no apartment, and ownership over a non/partially existing unit in a problematic building. We have represented hundreds of clients in recovering their investments via litigation.
Breach of trust
We have experience working with large groups in breach of trust actions, where monies held in trust for them have been misappropriated. These are common in contractors’ payroll schemes and with professional advisors holding client monies on Trust. These matters often take a lot of investigation. We have successfully represented several groups of hundreds of individuals in cross-border breach of trust claims.
Professional negligence
In particular, when advising on large group claims, our use of technology enables us to work more efficiently. This often works out much better for the individual as it removes the cost barrier to bringing a claim.
Case study
We were instructed to defend claims made against loan charge contractors who entered into marketed tax avoidance schemes but were described as legitimate tax mitigation by way of loan payments.
The individuals we represented numbered over 150, and the loans were being called in by a third party.
Our technology has enabled us to take documents directly and securely from each client, saving time and money.
We reviewed over 107,000 pages of documents disclosed in this matter, and it was clear from the review of these documents and evidence from our clients that this was clearly a tax avoidance arrangement, and the loans were, in our view, unenforceable.
We facilitated a mediation to narrow the issues in dispute. Following that mediation, we subsequently served the company a comprehensive letter of response that rebutted the claims on the grounds of collateral contract, misrepresentation, and breach of trust.
For more information, please read our article on this topic.