The CAT has certified collective proceedings brought on behalf of 8.9 million Sony PlayStation UK customers for damages as a result of alleged supra-competitive pricing of games and add-on content purchased through the PlayStation Store.
The judgment is the first to address a PCR’s funding arrangements following the judgment of the Supreme Court in PACCAR. The CAT found the PCR’s revised funding arrangements would be enforceable.
The CAT also ruled for the first time that its jurisdiction to make a CPO pursuant to section 47B of the Competition Act 1998 is limited to claims which exist as at the date of the Claim Form. Certification is therefore subject to amendment of the class definition to remove so-called “future claimants” whose alleged losses post-date the filing of the Claim Form.
Robert Palmer KC, Fiona Banks and Antonia Fitzpatrick represented the Class Representative, Alex Neill Class Representative Limited, instructed by Milberg London LLP.
Daniel Beard KC represented the Defendants, Sony Interactive Europe Limited and Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Limited, instructed by Linklaters LLP.
The judgment is available here.