BT has emerged victorious in a £1.3 billion class action lawsuit after allegations that it "disproportionately overcharged" its landline customers were dismissed. The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) announced today that the claim against BT was unsuccessful, concluding that "overall" the prices charged "were not unfair, and therefore there was no abuse of dominant position."
The legal challenge was initiated by Mishcon de Reya, representing over three million customers, with consumer advocate Justin Le Patourel acting as the claimants' representative, as reported by .
The claim accused BT of levying excessive prices for "standalone" fixed voice services, particularly affecting older clientele, suggesting an abuse of market dominance, but the Tribunal found otherwise.
Proceedings were certified in October 2021, prompting an appeal from BT. This landmark case was the first to test the CAT’s approach to certifying collective proceedings on an opt-out basis.
Despite BT's appeal against certification being rejected by the Court of Appeal, the trial proceeded in January and concluded at the end of March. Beyond its implications for the involved parties, this case holds considerable significance for the legal industry, marking the first trial since the collective proceedings regime was established in 2015.
The claimants were represented by Mishcon de Reya partner Sarah Houghton and managing associate Gwen Ballin-Reeler, while BT's defence was handled by Simmons & Simmons partners Patrick Boylan and Satyen Dhana. A spokesperson for BT commented on the judgement, stating: "Today the CAT handed down its judgment in the case of Justin Le Patourel v BT Group in which the CAT has fully dismissed the claim and found that BT Group’s conduct did not breach competition law. We take our responsibilities to all of our customers very seriously and welcome today’s ruling."
