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The Competition Appeal Tribunal has certified opt-out collective proceedings brought by UK consumer charity Which? against US-based wireless telecoms company Qualcomm Incorporated. Which? alleges that Qualcomm’s breaches of competition law inflated the royalties paid by smartphone manufacturers for Qualcomm’s technology, leading to higher prices for consumers. Further details of the claims can be found here.
In a unanimous judgment, the Tribunal held that the claims meet the criteria for certification and should be allowed to proceed. Which? will now represent a class of approximately 29 million UK consumers who have purchased qualifying Apple or Samsung smartphones since October 2015.
Which? is represented by Jon Turner QC, Anneli Howard QC, Michael Armitage and Ciar McAndrew. The counsel team is instructed by Nicola Boyle, and Lucy Rigby of Hausfeld & Co. LLP.
Alexandra Littlewood acted for Qualcomm, instructed by Quinn Emanuel.