FAQs

This collective claim is brought against several entities within the Google group of companies: Alphabet Inc., Google LLC, Google Ireland Limited, Google UK Limited, Google Asia Pacific Pte Limited, and Google Commerce Limited. Together, these entities are referred to as “Google”.

This claim seeks compensation on behalf of UK-based organisations that bought ads from Google to appear on its search pages.

The claim alleges that Google used anti-competitive tactics to shut out competition in the markets for general search and search advertising, thereby driving up the prices paid by UK-based organisations for search adverts.

These practices helped Google establish a near-total dominance in the general search market thereby making its own search platform into the only viable means for organisations to reach the vast majority of potential consumers. 

Google’s anti-competitive conduct includes (among other things): 

• Entering into contracts with mobile phone manufacturers and network operators which required them to pre-install the Google Search and Chrome browser apps on Android devices.
  
  
• Paying billions to Apple to ensure that Google is the default search engine on the Safari browser that is pre-installed on all Apple devices, including iPhones.
  
  
• Ensuring that its Search Engine Management Platform (SA360) offers better functionality, and more features, for Google’s own advertising compared to its competitors.

This claim is being brought by a leading competition law academic Dr Or Brook, who is currently an Associate Professor of Competition Law and Policy at the School of Law,  University of Leeds. She will represent all affected UK-based organisations.

Dr Brook has created a special purpose company, Or Brook Class Representative Limited, which she solely owns and controls, to act on her behalf as the ‘Potential Class Representative’ in this claim. This means that Dr Brook will, herself, be responsible for all decisions taken in respect of this claim. 

Approximately 250,000 organisations that bought search ads from Google are potentially affected.

If you or your organisation is based in the UK and purchased search advertising from Google (either directly or via a media agency) between 1 January 2011 and 15 April 2025, you are automatically included in the class.

The total damages owed to affected organisations is estimated to be approximately £5 billion.

The exact amount that each organisation is owed by Google will be a matter for detailed consideration if a damages award is obtained or a settlement payment is proposed by Google (and accepted by the Class Representative). The amount may be calculated by reference to the amount spent by organisations on Google ads, but a different method of quantification could be used. The key requirement is that any distribution method be just.

Ultimately, this will depend on the court, which in this case is the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). Given the complexity of the issues and the size of the affected class, the action will likely take 2-3 years. This is standard in collective actions.

These are 'opt-out' proceedings which means that anyone who falls within the proposed class definition will automatically be included in the proceedings unless they actively choose not to be. Instructions on how to opt-out will be provided in due course.

Nothing. The claim is completely funded by one of the world’s leading litigation funders, Burford Capital Limited (“Burford”). This means that they will pay for all legal, and other, costs of the claim (including the Defendants’ costs if the claim is unsuccessful). Affected organisations which are members of the class do not need to make a contribution from their own pocket.

For now, nothing. This is an ‘opt-out’ claim which means that anyone who falls within the class definition and is domiciled in the UK will automatically be included, unless they choose to opt-out of these proceedings.

This means that class members do not have to sign up to be part of the claim and, provided that they do not opt-out of the proceedings, will be entitled to their share of any damages or settlement sums received. If such an award of damages is made, or a settlement received, a claims validation process will be developed whereby class members can claim their damages.

No. Dr Brook has secured litigation funding from Burford Capital. If the claims are unsuccessful, Dr Brook has obtained ‘after the event’ insurance to protect her position, including against any adverse costs. Proposed Class Members do not face any personal risk in relation to these proceedings.

Collective actions are commonly referred to as a ‘class action’, ‘group claim’ or ‘group action’. They are a type of court procedure in the UK that enable a class representative to bring a legal claim on behalf of a large number of claimants who have suffered loss as a result of a breach of competition law. 

Collective actions empower consumers to hold large corporations to account and seek compensation for harm they have suffered. They are particularly useful in cases where pursuing individual claims would be impractical or financially unfeasible. By joining forces, consumers can strengthen their position and challenge powerful organisations more effectively.

A class refers to a group of individuals or organisations with similar legal claims against the same defendant, allowing them to bring a collective action. This typically occurs in cases where individual claims would be impractical or inefficient to pursue separately.

A class member is any individual or entity within this group who is represented in the legal action. Class members do not need to bring separate claims, as a representative claimant acts on behalf of the entire class.

Or Brook Class Representative Limited is the proposed class representative (“PCR”) to pursue the claim against Google on behalf of all class members (except those who decide to opt out) and represent the members of the class before the CAT. The PCR is also responsible for keeping class members informed and issuing formal notices, including updates and announcements via this website, email communications, and written notifications. As Dr Brook is the sole owner and controller of Or Book Class Representative Limited, she will be the person making the decisions in respect of this claim. 

The Competition Appeal Tribunal is a specialist court based in London which hears and decides cases involving competition issues, including collective proceedings. More information on the Competition Appeal Tribunal, including information on its Rules and Guidance, can be found on its website.

A limitation period is the legal time limit within which a person must bring a claim to court. If a claim is not filed within this period, it may be barred, meaning the claimant loses the right to pursue it. The length of the limitation period depends on the type of claim.

If you fall within the class definition, you should register for updates, to be kept directly updated at key stages of the claim.

These updates will include updates about developments in the claim and information about any action you may be required to take.

In addition, you can track the progress of the claim on this website, and via the relevant social media channels: 

Twitter (X) - @SearchAdvertisers

LinkedIn - @SearchAdvertisers

Facebook - @SearchAdvertisers

If you have any questions or would like any further information, please contact the proposed class representative’s team here.

For any media enquiries, please contact: [email protected].