Consumer class actions

illustration of scales and people next to them

Considering the introduction of a consumer class actions regime

Background (Back to top)

Consumer laws play a vital role in ensuring that consumers are treated fairly. Their effective enforcement can address persistent consumer harms and deter infringements, thereby reducing unfair business practices and promoting fair competition. In this context, the Government has asked the Law Commission to assess whether the way consumer laws are enforced could be strengthened through the introduction of a consumer class actions regime.

Project (Back to top)

The project will identify the benefits and risks associated with the introduction of a consumer class actions regime, having regard to other available mechanisms such as public enforcement action and alternative dispute resolution. The project will also make recommendations as to the design of such a regime, were one to be introduced.

The objectives of any such regime would include:

Improving consumers’ access to redress, both by securing redress in court and by ensuring that damages are distributed to the affected class.

Promoting the efficient conduct of litigation at proportionate cost.

The project is sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade. 

Next steps (Back to top)

We expect work to start on this project during autumn 2026.

We are interested in hearing from stakeholders with views about the project. We have prepared an Initial Scoping Questionnaire and invite stakeholders to complete it and return it to us at consumerclassactions@lawcommission.gov.uk The deadline for returning the Initial Scoping Questionnaire is 30 October 2026.  

Once we have begun our work, we will meet with stakeholders to understand their experiences and perspectives, and to help us formulate our views and proposals for reform, which we will then publish in a consultation paper.