The first ever poll on UK class actions, conducted by Portland Disputes, The Class Action Report 2020, found low awareness and knowledge of class actions among nearly half of those polled, with 30% rating this question ‘very low’.
Depressingly, less than 30% believed the public have the power to hold companies to account for breaking the law. They regarded the chances of winning compensation, holding large companies to account, and helping consumers to be less likely outcomes of class actions than law firms and litigation funders enriching themselves.
Philip Hall, senior partner and global head of disputes at Portland, said: ‘Law firms, litigation funders and litigation support firms must do more to earn people’s trust when it comes to class actions in the UK.
‘As group litigation’s position in the UK’s legal landscape continues to evolve, understanding what drives both awareness and participation for a class will be essential―both on the claimant and defendant side.’
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