Group Litigation: Claimant
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 3
Contact number
(020) 7632 6900About
Provided by Humphries Kerstetter LLP
Our mandates are typically for businesses and other organisations as claimants against other businesses (although as a firm we remain generally open to acting for defendants). We work with litigation funders and ATE insurers as appropriate to meet our clients’ requirements and are familiar with market norms for documentation and pricing.
We are currently instructed on behalf of the claimants/proposed class representative in actions concerning Google and Blackmore Bond and are actively engaged in a number of further class actions in technology, data and financial services.
HK has an established reputation in this field, being particularly well-known for acting for and ultimately settling the claims of a large group of 700 merchants, local authorities and others in the interchange fees litigation against Mastercard and Visa. The firm has also worked on the investigation or pursuit of class actions involving a range of fraudulent and reckless investment schemes, failed SIPP and property investments, data breaches, failed tax schemes and ‘stock drop’ claims, amongst other work.
We have the legal knowledge, the funding and insurance connections, and the team strength to handle class actions effectively. This means our clients do not need to pay unless and until recoveries are made and only pay out of those recoveries for our fees and all necessary disbursements. We prepare cases to fight to trial but aim to reach earlier settlements in the interests of all concerned.
Chambers Review
Humphries Kerstetter is a specialist litigation boutique. It demonstrates particular expertise in competition collective proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal with a key role in the interchange fees litigation. The team also advises on group litigation claims arising out of fraud and failed investment schemes.
Work Highlights
- Humphries Kerstetter acted for around 700 merchants in claims against Visa and Mastercard. The claim alleges that merchants paid excessive interchange fees for accepting branded cards as the networks abused their dominant position.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are very lean but very diligent, efficient and really know the process."
"They are always available to discuss and work through tricky challenges and always produce high-quality work extremely promptly."
"Humphries Kerstetter’s competition litigation team is one of the most efficient and best-functioning solicitor teams I have worked with. They are incredibly responsive and helpful."
"They are very lean but very diligent, efficient and really know the process."
"They are always available to discuss and work through tricky challenges and always produce high-quality work extremely promptly."
"Humphries Kerstetter’s competition litigation team is one of the most efficient and best-functioning solicitor teams I have worked with. They are incredibly responsive and helpful."
Notable Practitioners
Toby Starr is a highly experienced commercial litigator. He regularly advises on opt-in and opt-out collective actions in the competition sphere.
"Toby is sensible, pragmatic, user-friendly and a good lawyer."
"Toby is a very experienced litigator and brings a lot of experience."
"Toby Starr is absolutely superb, very smooth and extremely smart."
"Toby is thoroughly excellent."