Novidades
Mantenha-se atualizado sobre as últimas notícias dos nossos casos e áreas de atuação, com opiniões e insights profissionais dos nossos colaboradores.
Insights
Keeping you informed with the latest news and updates on our cases and expert areas, with professional opinions and insights into the claims.
NEWS ABOUT US
9 MARCH 2022
This year, for International Women’s Day, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team set up a fundraising campaign for our charity partners, Refuge, and the work they do in support of women and children faced with domestic violence.
We saw a sea of pink outfits in our PGMBM offices around the world in support of our “Wear Pink for Refuge” fundraiser; even more striking given we are still in the colder, greyer period of the year!
One of the highlights of the day, however, was the panel discussion hosted by PGMBM’s CSR committee and moderated by Beth Lewis.
NEWS ABOUT US
1 MARCH 2022
PGMBM hosted an online panel event on 9 February 2022, which centred on the ongoing impact of the Dieselgate scandal in the UK and the continuing impact on the environment and public health.
Neil Parish MP, Chair of the UK Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, was a part of the panel for the event, alongside an array of experts and campaigners for clean air.
Justice in the UK continues to lag far behind.
Five years have passed since Volkswagen’s settlement in the US. Yet, the offending cars continue to be sold and driven throughout the UK.
NEWS ABOUT US
11 FEBRUARY 2022
Late last year, the Bahia state of Brazil was affected by flooding and heavy rains as a result of the extreme weather caused by climate change.
As a firm, we investigated this by talking to our clients and found that the community of Aldeia Boca da Mata in Porto Seguro was in a dire situation.
Once we had learned about the situation in Boca da Mata, we supported the Young Ambassadors of Brazil (YAP) to speak to doctors, local health authorities, nutritionists and nurses to negotiate how best to deliver aid to the community.
NEWS ABOUT OUR CASES
4 FEBRUARY 2022
PGMBM is optimistic about the hearing in April when it will be decided whether the case can be tried in England.
Since 2018 committed to fighting for justice for the people affected by the Fundão dam rupture in Mariana, PGMBM law firm believes that 2022 will be decisive for more than 200,000 people who still seek fair compensation for their losses.
PGMBM started the battle against BHP (Samarco’s parent company) in England in 2018 and won in July 2021 the right to reopen the suit and permission to appeal the negative decision of 2020.
NEWS ABOUT OUR CASES
2 FEBRUARY 2022
On the third anniversary of the Brumadinho dam collapse in Brazil, PGMBM and Manner Spangenberg lawyers acting on behalf of victims of the disaster say the claims filed against German safety regulators TÜV SÜD has now reached over €400million.
This week, the court in Munich has allowed the addition of over 1,100 new claimants, bringing the value of the case to defendants TÜV SÜD soaring.
The failure of the dam in Brazil on 25 January 2019 meant around 12 million cubic meters of highly toxic ore mud was released, bursting through the offices of the mining operation and cascading over local communities and water systems.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
30 JANUARY 2022
On 28 December 2021, the High Court of South Africa handed down a ruling (the ‘Case‘) interdicting Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) from carrying out three-dimensional seismic testing for oil and gas.[1]
The company intended to begin prospecting along 6011-sq-km of the ecologically diverse and sensitive marine environment of South Africa’s Eastern coastline. The Case and its reasonings are an essential step in South Africa’s environmental and human rights jurisprudence, as well as within the global framework of legal intervention against corporations in climate change matters.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
18 JANUARY 2022
In the high-profile case of Lloyd v Google LLC [2021] UKSC 50, the Supreme Court handed down its final judgment in November 2021.
Following a two-day hearing, the judgment overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision to allow Mr Lloyd to continue his representative action against Google.
The case attracted a great deal of interest from lawyers and consumer rights groups as it could have allowed a group action to be brought on behalf of many claimants for loss of control of personal data, without each claimant needing to be individually identified but still entitling them to compensation.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
12 JANUARY 2022
A recent report by Stand.earth draws attention to the environmental impact of a specific component of our wardrobes: leather.
The report focuses on the fashion industry’s links to deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, which is fuelled by the cattle industry.[1]
When we think of cattle farming, the primary consumer product we tend to picture is beef. Unfortunately, the connection between cattle and the fashion industry in the form of leather goods has been given less attention.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
10 December 2021
How can you obtain a judgment without going to trial? While it may sound like a trick question, the English rules on Civil Procedure (the Civil Procedure Rules, “CPR”) provide a specific mechanism known as summary judgment (CPR 24).
Summary judgment is a discretionary power granted to judges to make a judgment on a claim or issue without going to trial.
Prior to exercising its discretion, the court must agree that the party against which judgment is made has no real prospect of success and that there is no other compelling reason the matter should proceed to trial.
NEWS ABOUT OUR CASES
7 December 2021
Appearing in the media this weekend, PGMBM discussed our increasingly popular bid for a judicial review into the government’s Hotel Quarantine Policy.
We were quoted by numerous news outlets in articles about the policy, including the Daily Mail, The Independent, and City Am, after hundreds of travellers were left stuck in countries that were abruptly added to the reimposed red list.
The government has come under fire for the lack of notice given to people who had travelled to countries like South Africa to see family for the first time in two years.
NEWS ABOUT OUR CASES
3 DECEMBER 2021
Global powerhouse PGMBM has merged with sister firm Pogust Millrood LLC, one of the leading mass tort and personal injury firms in the US.
The merger sees the existing Pogust Millrood operation incorporated into the rapidly expanding PGMBM organisation, with a US operation that will now include offices in Philadelphia and Miami.
Globally, PGMBM now boasts over 100 lawyers and 500 staff in countries including the US, the UK (London, Liverpool, and Edinburgh), the Netherlands (Amsterdam), and Brazil (São Paulo and Belo Horizonte).
NEWS ABOUT OUR CASES
11 November 2021
Data breach specialists PGMBM are supporting customers of Sky Betting & Gaming after the gambling giant admitted to exposing recovering and vulnerable addicts to “free spin” offers.
It is thought that up to 120,000 people – who had explicitly asked Sky Bet and their sister company Sky Vegas not to send them betting correspondence – were sent multiple promotional emails during Safer Gambling week in a catastrophic mistake.
The breach, which included up to six emails offering gamblers “100 free online spins”, was confirmed by self-exclusion organisation Gamstop. Some of Gamstop’s 218,000 registered recovering gamblers reached out to them over their distress after receiving the offers.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
10 November 2021
Environmental litigation is on the rise as individuals and organisations seek to ensure corporations and governments uphold their environmental and human rights obligations.
The new landmark case of Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) v Santos Ltd, filed in the Federal Court of Australia on 25 August 2021, suggests this trend is set to continue.
PGMBM welcome these developments and will continue to play an active part in advocating for better protection against environmental harm and climate change, both in and outside of the courts.
NEWS ABOUT OUR CASES
5 November 2021
More than 1,500 Brazilian orange growers are celebrating today after securing a High Court judgment that will force multi-billionaire Brazilian orange juice magnate, José Luis Cutrale, and his son, José Luis Cutrale Jr, to face trial.
The father and son will go to court in England over their alleged participation in an illegal cartel that substantially impacted the global market for the sale of orange juice.
PGMBM, acting for the orange growers, successfully argued that the case should proceed in England.
NEWS ABOUT OUR CASES
2 November 2021
An agreement to plead guilty to criminal conduct is near completion in the US emissions fraud investigation against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).
Reuters claim that the ‘agreement’ could see financial penalties totalling between $250 million and $300 million.
The deal surrounds Ram pickup trucks and Jeep sport-utility vehicles that were first manufactured between 2014 and 2016. These vehicles allegedly used emissions cheating technology to escape emissions laws.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
27 October 2021
Instructing a solicitor and starting a case can seem like a daunting task.
To help PGMBM’s current and prospective clients understand the roles and responsibilities in a group litigation claim, and to advise what will be required of you to start and progress your case, we have outlined here the seven steps necessary to successfully complete your claim.
Read the key points of a standard case where engagement is required and what you must do at each point.
NEWS ABOUT OUR CASES
13 September 2021
PGMBM has now issued court proceedings after the government refused to review their controversial hotel quarantine rules.
After forcing the government into a U-turn on the costs of hotel quarantine for those facing financial hardship, PGMBM now believes that detaining fully vaccinated people for ten days in a hotel if they have tested negative on their return is an ‘unlawful deprivation of liberty’ and violates their fundamental human rights.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
27 August 2021
Environmental litigation is on the rise as individuals and organisations take to the courts to hold corporations and governments accountable under their environmental and human rights obligations.
This article provides an overview of recent landmark climate change cases and litigation trends.
Authors: Meabh Kirby and Dominique Ouwerkerk, Trainee Solicitors
19 July 2021
Germany’s largest consumer protection group has filed a lawsuit against Daimler to help Mercedes owners get redress over the Dieselgate scandal.
If successful, the lawsuit will set a precedent that would allow Mercedes GLC and GLK car owners to gain compensation over software allegedly used to trick emissions tests in the diesel emissions scandal.
NEWS ABOUT OUR CASES
12 August 2021
A second judicial review is being sought by PGMBM for the Government’s controversial hotel quarantine policy. The Government could end up paying tens of millions of pounds in compensation.
We believe that the policy of detaining people for 10 days in a hotel, despite being fully vaccinated in the UK and having tested negative on their return, is an ‘unlawful deprivation of liberty’ and violates fundamental human rights.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
11 August 2021
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution? Arbitration is a private court hearing where parties agree to be bound by the decision of the mediator.
It is an alternative method to pursuing more formal litigation, which is commonly used to resolve disputes.
The recent British Airways Data Breach Settlement, in which PGMBM were the lead solicitors, was resolved on confidential terms using mediation techniques.
27 July 2021
Some 200,000 victims of the Mariana Dam environmental disaster in Brazil are today celebrating having been granted permission to reopen their £5bn case against mining giant BHP after a landmark English court ruling.
The case against BHP had been struck out last year but, in a judgment published today (27 July) a panel of judges reopened the case and granted permission to appeal.
5 July 2021
As the court-appointed lead solicitors, PGMBM is pleased to announce that litigation with British Airways has been resolved. The mediation between legal representatives for claimants and BA resolves the group litigation on confidential terms.
Harris Pogust, PGMBM Chairman, said: “We are very pleased to have come to a resolution on this matter.”
5 July 2021
Last week, PGMBM received confirmation from the Government that we had been successful in forcing a U-turn over the costs vulnerable people were incurring as part of the hotel quarantine policy.
While the details of how this will work have not yet been laid out, we are reassured that the Government have listened to reason on this.
21 June 2021
Prosecutors in France have charged both Peugeot and Renault over claims they cheated emissions testing in many of their diesel vehicles.
Senior managers were accused of deceit for using ‘fraudulent strategies’ and committing emissions fraud by falsifying emissions test results and cheating emissions laws.
18 June 2021
What is the future for traditional communities? How does the climate crises affect environmental justice? The Brazil Forum UK brought to the conversation fundamental issues regarding the building of a fairer Brazil, with more opportunities for everybody.
PGMBM is proud of being one of the event’s sponsors.
14 June 2021
It is evident that there has been a marked rise in group securities litigation globally in recent years.
This can be traced back to the 2010 US Supreme Court’s decision in Morrison v National Australia Bank 561 US 247 (2010).
Author: Janice Tang, Associate at PGMBM
10 June 2021
More than 94% of parents underestimate the fatal impact of air pollution in the UK, new research has revealed.
Some 2,000 parents were polled as part of the research commissioned by MyDieselClaim.com, a campaign by leading access to justice law firm PGMBM.
7 June 2021
In 2020, PGMBM launched the My Diesel Claim campaign to hold vehicle manufacturers accountable for their role in the Dieselgate scandal.
One of the questions that we are most frequently asked about is why the case is so important to us and why we are so eager to get people to sign up. Our answer is simple: accountability.
6 May 2021
We are frequently asked about the legalities of the hotel quarantine regulations and on what grounds we are seeking the review.
Our first ground is that we believe that the imposition of charges for quarantining in a government-managed hotel is unlawful because it is a direct breach of the UK’s international obligations. We also believe there is an absence of any adequate exemptions.
25 May 2021
Thousands of victims of the PIP Breast Implant Scandal will now receive compensation for their suffering, a French court has announced.
The victory comes 10 years after the women involved in the case began their fight for justice and this outcome could have far-reaching implications for other victims around the world.
29 MAY 2021
Litigation is a costly procedure. Available resources can substantially impact outcomes, and smaller players are often disadvantaged against large corporations. However, the growth in litigation finance is helping to balance the scales.
Authors: Ana Carolina Salomão Queiroz, litigation finance manager at PGMBM and Gian Kull, head of special situations and uncorrelated strategies at Syz Capital
3 June 2021
Following reports on the poor working conditions and deficient safety in the building, the collapse sparked outrage and gave rise to the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (the Bangladesh Accord).
It was designed as a commitment for a “safe and sustainable Bangladeshi Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry and other related industries.”
10 MAY 2021
Four months after an inquest concluded that air pollution was the cause of death for six-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a coroner has called on the UK government to change air pollution law.
Coroner Phillip Barlow, who led the original inquest into Ella’s death in December 2020, has called for national pollution limits to be reduced. He says there is ‘no safe level of particulate matter’ in the air.
21 MAY 2021
Filing a legal claim against a large company can be intimidating – especially if it has a strong legal team and a generous pool of finances. However, by choosing to be represented by a group litigation firm like PGMBM, your claim can be brought from an equally strong position.
The following five factors help to demonstrate the main advantages of instructing a group litigation firm.
7 APRIL 2021
In response to the growing number of manufacturers under investigation for diesel emissions fraud, PGMBM has launched a new website that will support more diesel vehicle drivers than ever before: My Diesel Claim.
MyDieselClaim.com will offer all diesel car and van owners the opportunity to claim up to £10,000 for their vehicle manufacturer’s part in the Dieselgate scandal.
27 APRIL 2021
At PGMBM we are passionate about championing justice and ensuring fairness for all. Our judicial review of the hotel quarantine is no exception to this.
Following the news that from 15 February the UK Government intended to enforce a mandatory hotel quarantine policy, we felt compelled to launch a legal challenge to ensure that the Policy receives judicial scrutiny.
30 APRIL 2021
In Germany, Volkswagen is seeking around $1.2 billion from ex-CEO Martin Winterkorn for his actions in the Dieselgate scandal.
If awarded, this sum would be the highest claim ever for damages against a CEO in Germany, according to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
18 MARCH 2021
One of PGMBM’s many talented paralegals, Eléonore Buisson, has spoken with Sciences Po about her law school experiences, her recruitment into PGMBM and her current role’s responsibilities.
“The firm also stresses the importance for litigation trainees to gain international experience,” Eléonore said.
23 APRIL 2021
The rapid growth of supply chains across borders has brought undeniable benefits to developing countries. However, it has also negatively impacted these communities, in particular when it comes to environmental damage and human rights violations.
Authors: Camila Manfredini and Jessika Castañon, PGMBM Associates
21 MAY 2021
The Australian federal court has dismissed Volkswagen’s appeal against their $95 million fine. The appeal was surrounding Volkswagen’s part in the Dieselgate emissions scandal.
The Australian federal court found that they had breached consumer laws by falsifying emissions levels.
5 March 2021
International law firm PGMBM and leading European special situations investor North Wall Capital (North Wall) announce a new £45 million funding partnership to support us in the pursuit claims on behalf of consumers wronged by large corporations globally.
North Wall’s investment brings the total capital raised to over £100 million and will support the firm as it continues to establish itself as a major global player.
12 MARCH 2021
This follow-up article delves deeper into specific aspects of the Supreme Court’s judgment and provides a detailed commentary on its implications for the future of group litigation and jurisdictional challenges in England.
The article also discusses the interplay between Okpabi and earlier similar litigations in both the UK and in the Netherlands.
16 march 2021
Following the UK Supreme Court judgment that all Uber drivers must be considered as workers, Uber laid out how its workers’ rights would be used in practice.
According to the new rules, all UK Uber drivers will be ‘guaranteed’ national minimum wage, holiday pay, and a pension scheme. This will impact 70,000 drivers in the UK, but omits Uber Eats.
14 Feburary 2021
In a ground-breaking judgment, the UK Supreme Court allowed an appeal in a group litigation against the oil and gas company Shell plc. The decision will allow 42,500 Nigerian victims to continue their fight for justice in England.
The appeal was concerned with the jurisdiction of the English courts against Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (“SPDC”).
16 February 2021
In response to the news that the Government would be enforcing a mandatory hotel quarantine policy, PGMBM is launching a legal challenge to stand up for the human rights of those entering the UK.
Tom Goodhead, Barrister and Managing Partner of PGMBM, said: “We wholeheartedly appreciate the seriousness of the pandemic.This does not, however, mean that policies which constitute extraordinary violations.”
22 February 2021
A Supreme Court decision has ruled that Uber drivers are workers, not third-party contractors. The decision has been labelled as ‘historic’ and could change the future of the gig economy.
As the Supreme Court is the highest court in the England and Wales, Uber will not be able to appeal this decision and drivers will now be entitled to national minimum wage and holiday pay.
14 Feburary 2021
On 9 November 2020, Mr Justice Turner of the High Court, handed down a judgment that denied the jurisdiction of the English Court to adjudicate the liability of BHP Plc and BHP Ltd on the merits.
The judgment struck out the claims of over 200,000 people.
The consequences of the judgment will be discussed.
12 january 2021
The 2018 BA Data Breach Claim has become the largest group action personal data claim in UK history, with over 16,000 victims seeking compensation from the airline. PGMBM are the lead solicitors in the group litigation case against British Airways on behalf of victims.
We expect that victim compensation could be up to £2,000, putting BA’s overall potential liability at around £800million.
4 February 2021
A record number of vehicles failed their MOT tests in 2020 due to issues relating to potentially harmful exhaust emissions.
The survey suggests that failures in 2020 increased by more than 70% when compared to pre-2018 when new guidance was offered. Sources indicate that 1.3 million vehicles were implicated, with diesel cars guilty of the most significant surge in emission failures.
16 DECEMBER 2020
After a fresh inquest into the death of a nine-year-old girl concluded that she died as a result of air pollution, theories surrounding the relationship between pollution and ill-health have been forced into a sickening reality.
Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah is the first person in the UK, and possibly even the world, to have air pollution listed as her cause of death.
9 NOVEMBER 2020
The victims of the Fundão Dam disaster in Mariana, Brazil, intend to appeal after a first instance English court judgment chose not to proceed with their multi-billion pound case against mining giant BHP.
The case is over BHP’s ‘ultimate responsibility’ for the incident, in which an iron-ore tailings dam collapsed, unleashing the worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history.
28 OCTOBER 2020
PGMBM is filing a lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in line with the Dieselgate scandal.
Hundreds of thousands of diesel vehicles may be affected, including Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Iveco, and Suzuki diesel vehicles.
Anyone who owned or leased an affected vehicle first registered between 2008 and 2020 may be able to claim up to £10,000 in compensation for being misled.
21 OCTOBER 2020
PGMBM have welcomed the decision from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to levy British Airways’s fine over their 2018 breach.
We believe it is now time for the half a million BA customers affected by the breach to be compensated.
Harris Pogust, Partner, commented: “The move by the ICO to reduce BA’s fine should allow them to protect the business. However, it is now time for BA to compensate the victims.”
30 september 2020
PGMBM is proud to announce the opening of a new office in Miami, Florida– a key milestone in our continued global growth.
The Miami operation will be headed by experienced attorney Melissa Ferrari. She will play a key role in solidifying the firm as a major global player in mass and class-action litigation.
Melissa will be joined by top litigator Joshua Kushner, who joins us from Kobre and Kim LLP.
24 SEPTEMBER 2020
A newly published UN human rights council report claims that ‘urgent attention’ is required to address Brazil’s ‘regression from its human rights obligations’. UN Special Rapporteur Bashkut Tunak revealed that none of the 42 projects to repair damage from the 2015 Mariana dam disaster are on track.
“Following the Mariana and Brumadinho disasters, no corporate executive of Vale, BHP or Samarco stands convicted of criminal conduct,” Bashkut said.
18 SEPTEMBER 2020
Mercedes-Benz has agreed to pay £1.7 billion to settle diesel emission cheat claims in the United States, meaning Mercedes UK drivers may be one step closer to getting the compensation they deserve.
In a statement, Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes, said that it expected costs of £1.14bn relating to the civil and environmental claims, and £535m relating to the consumer class action.
11 sEPTEMBER 2020
A Sky News investigation into Primodos, a hormone pregnancy test, has been aired on TV, sharing the harsh realities of the impact the drug had on its victims.
PGMBM’s Head of Medical Liability, Lisa Lunt, was interviewed by Sky News, sharing her thoughts on the latest evidence unveiled in the case.
“I think that Liz’s freedom of information act request is incredibly important,” she said.
10 september 2020
A German court has ruled that the former CEO of Volkswagen will have to stand trial as part of the Dieselgate emissions scandal.
Martin Winterkorn resigned from his post five years ago, after a notice of violation from the US Environmental Protection Agency brought to light years of VW emissions cheating.
He and four other defendants will face trial in Germany on charges of fraud.
3 september 2020
On 5 November 2015, a devastating mudslide following the collapse of the Fundao Dam tore through Mariana, Brazil. 19 people lost their lives, tonnes of fish died, and over 600km of waterways were polluted in what is regarded as Brazil’s worst environmental disaster.
PGMBM is bringing claims on behalf of over 200 000 claimants against BHP Billiton, the Anglo-Australian co-parent company of Samarco.
30 AUGUST 2020
Thousands of claims have now been settled in the USA surrounding the controversial Essure implant, but PGMBM is still fighting for justice for thousands of other victims.
While the $1.6 billion settlement decision in the US is welcomed, PGMBM is still helping the many UK victims who are awaiting justice after years of suffering.
14 JULY 2020
PGMBM has welcomed the publication of an independent report into the safety and side-effects of treatments recommended and administered by the British healthcare industry.
The report details the grim history of Primodos, a hormone pregnancy test drug, Sodium Valproate, an anti-epilepsy drug, and vaginal mesh used to support weakened pelvic organs and repair damaged tissue.
1 JUNE 2020
PGMBM has filed a claim against Daimler AG, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, in the Liverpool High Court.
The case relates to a Mercedes diesel emissions scandal, which involves the use of defeat devices (also called ‘cheat devices’) on an estimated half million Mercedes diesel vehicles first registered between 2007 and 2018 in the United Kingdom.
27 JUNE 2020
PGMBM has announced that it is taking legal action against vehicle manufacturers Renault and Nissan, following allegations that illegal emissions defeat devices have been fitted in a number of cars and vans.
Defeat devices are designed to sense when a car is under specific testing conditions, and accordingly turn on emissions controls, allowing the vehicle to falsely pass regulatory checks.
26 JUNE 2020
PGMBM has instructed Sophie Holcombe and David Blayney QC of Serle Court in ongoing litigation against the aviation giant easyJet.
In May, the airline announced that it had been subjected to a data theft attack. The breach is one of the UK’s largest data breaches to date, questions have been raised as to the efficacy of the cyber-security measures in place at easyJet.
13 MAY 2020
Our lawyers are dedicated to helping ordinary people fight for justice against the largest multinational corporations in the world.
We are currently taking on companies such as BHP, British Airways and Volkswagen to secure the compensation our clients deserve.
20 MAY 2020
Around 9 million easyJet customers have had their data breached in a ‘sophisticated’ cyber-attack, the airline has announced.
Email addresses and travel details were stolen by cyber-criminals and more than 2,200 customers have also had their credit and debit card details ‘accessed’, including CVV numbers.
easyJet informed the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office in January 2020 and they are currently investigating the breach.
22 MAY 2020
The British airline group EasyJet announced on 19 May 2020 that sensitive personal data of nine million customers from around the world had been exposed in a “sophisticated” data breach. The cyber-attack occurred in January 2020 but despite notifying the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office at that time, EasyJet waited four months to notify its customers.
PGMBM, a leading international group litigation specialist have issued the claim form on behalf of impacted customers
4 OCTOBER 2019
PGMBM, acting on behalf of thousands of BA customers in a group action lawsuit against the embattled airline following its catastrophic 2018 data breach has been granted a group litigation order by the High Court in London.
British Airways is facing legal claims from thousands of customers whose sensitive personal data was stolen and compromised by third parties who breached the company’s online reservations systems.
3 AUGUST 2019
Primodos was a hormone-based pregnancy test, manufactured by Schering, now Bayer PLC, first made available for sale in the UK in 1956 and was withdrawn from sale in 1978.
The drug consisted of two pills, to be taken in two consecutive days, and detected pregnancy by inducing a period in a woman who was not pregnant. [1]However, many families believe that if the mother was pregnant, it damaged or even killed their children in the womb.
1 JULY 2019
A number of barristers from Exchange Chambers have been instructed by PGMBM to advise on the Volkswagen “Dieselgate” class action.
PGMBM are acting for over 16,000 car owners who bought a diesel VW, Audi, Skoda or Seat car between 2008 and 2015.
On the 18 September 2015 it was first alleged by US authorities that VW had sought to cheat the US emissions testing regime in respect of NOx emissions by fitting their vehicles with illegal “defeat devices”.
7 May 2019
The worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history has triggered one of the biggest legal claims ever filed in a British court.
The Anglo-Australian mining company BHP Billiton is being sued for about £5bn by Brazilian victims of the Samarco dam collapse in Mariana four years ago.
The class action case was filed in the Liverpool High Court by the UK-based PGMBM Law on behalf of over 200,000 individuals and organisations affected by the disaster.
12 APRIL 2019
Essure, manufactured by Bayer HealthCare, is the only non-surgical permanent form of birth control for women in the UK. Made of a metal coil and plastic PET fibers, the device is known to slice through the uterus and fallopian tubes, migrate into the pelvis or abdomen, and cause allergic and autoimmune reaction to the materials, maiming thousands of women.
[1] More than 750,000 Essure devices have been sold worldwide since it was introduced in 2002, according to Bayer.
1 MARCH 2018
A record breaking settlement decision has been reached in the Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ scandal in the USA after VW allegedly fitted ‘defeat devices’ in its vehicles.
A final figure of $14.7 billion was approved by US District Court Judge Charles Breyer on 25 October 2016. The money is the largest settlement sum in US history and will be used to compensate more than 475,000 drivers.
27 July 2021
Some 200,000 victims of the Mariana Dam environmental disaster in Brazil are today celebrating having been granted permission to reopen their £5bn case against mining giant BHP after a landmark English court ruling.
The case against BHP had been struck out last year but, in a judgment published today (27 July) a panel of judges reopened the case and granted permission to appeal.
14 Feburary 2021
On 09 November 2020, Mr Justice Turner of the High Court, handed down a judgment that denied the jurisdiction of the English Court to adjudicate the liability of BHP Plc and BHP Ltd on the merits. The judgment struck out the claims of over 200,000 Brazilian Claimants as an abuse of the process.
The consequences of the judgment will be discussed in relation to the facts of this case and other future business and human rights proceedings.
9 NOVEMBER 2020
The victims of the Fundão Dam disaster in Mariana, Brazil, intend to appeal after a first instance English court judgment chose not to proceed with their multi-billion pound case against mining giant BHP.
The case is over BHP’s ‘ultimate responsibility’ for the incident, in which an iron-ore tailings dam collapsed, unleashing the worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history.
24 SEPTEMBER 2020
A newly published UN human rights council report claims that ‘urgent attention’ is required to address Brazil’s ‘regression from its human rights obligations’. UN Special Rapporteur Bashkut Tunak revealed that none of the 42 projects to repair damage from the 2015 Mariana dam disaster are on track.
“Following the Mariana and Brumadinho disasters, no corporate executive of Vale, BHP or Samarco stands convicted of criminal conduct,” Bashkut said.
3 SEPTEMBER 2020
On 5 November 2015, a devastating mudslide following the collapse of the Fundao Dam tore through Mariana, Brazil. 19 people lost their lives, tonnes of fish died, and over 600km of waterways were polluted in what is regarded as Brazil’s worst environmental disaster. The cause of this collapse is allegedly the negligence of Samarco.
PGMBM is bringing claims on behalf of over 200 000 claimants against BHP Billiton, the Anglo-Australian co-parent company of Samarco, for the damages arising from the disaster.
7 May 2019
The worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history has triggered one of the biggest legal claims ever filed in a British court.
The Anglo-Australian mining company BHP Billiton is being sued for about £5bn by Brazilian victims of the Samarco dam collapse in Mariana four years ago.
The class action case was filed in the Liverpool High Court by the UK-based SPG Law – currently known as PGMBM Law – on behalf of over 200,000 individuals and organisations affected by the disaster.
16 March 2021
Following the UK Supreme Court judgment that all Uber drivers must be considered as workers, Uber laid out how its workers’ rights would be used in practice.
According to the new rules, all UK Uber drivers will be ‘guaranteed’ national minimum wage, holiday pay, and a pension scheme. This will impact 70,000 drivers in the UK, but omits Uber Eats.
PGMBM believes that, additionally to these new rules, drivers are owed compensation for backdated holiday and minimum wage payments
22 FEBRUARY 2021
A Supreme Court decision has ruled that Uber drivers are workers, not third-party contractors. The decision has been labelled as ‘historic’ and could change the future of the gig economy.
As the Supreme Court is the highest court in the England and Wales, Uber will not be able to appeal this decision and drivers will now be entitled to national minimum wage and holiday pay.
PGMBM is now fighting for justice for the drivers who have missed out on years of national minimum wage and holiday pay.
25 MAY 2021
Thousands of victims of the PIP Breast Implant Scandal will now receive compensation for their suffering, a French court has announced.
The victory comes 10 years after the women involved in the case began their fight for justice and this outcome could have far-reaching implications for other victims around the world.
11 SEPTEMBER 2020
A Sky News investigation into Primodos, a hormone pregnancy test, has been aired on TV, sharing the harsh realities of the impact the drug had on its victims.
PGMBM’s Head of Medical Liability, Lisa Lunt, was interviewed by Sky News, sharing her thoughts on the latest evidence unveiled in the case.
“I think that Liz’s freedom of information act request is incredibly important,” she said.
30 AUGUST 2020
Thousands of claims have now been settled in the USA surrounding the controversial Essure implant, but PGMBM is still fighting for justice for thousands of other victims.
While the $1.6 billion settlement decision in the US is welcomed, PGMBM is still helping the many UK victims who are awaiting justice after years of suffering.
14 JULY 2020
PGMBM has welcomed the publication of an independent report into the safety and side-effects of treatments recommended and administered by the British healthcare industry.
The report details the grim history of Primodos, a hormone pregnancy test drug, Sodium Valproate, an anti-epilepsy drug, and vaginal mesh used to support weakened pelvic organs and repair damaged tissue.
3 AUGUST 2019
Primodos was a hormone-based pregnancy test, manufactured by Schering, now Bayer PLC, first made available for sale in the UK in 1956 and was withdrawn from sale in 1978.
The drug consisted of two pills, to be taken in two consecutive days, and detected pregnancy by inducing a period in a woman who was not pregnant. [1]However, many families believe that if the mother was pregnant, it damaged or even killed their children in the womb.
12 APRIL 2019
Essure, manufactured by Bayer HealthCare, is the only non-surgical permanent form of birth control for women in the UK. Made of a metal coil and plastic PET fibers, the device is known to slice through the uterus and fallopian tubes, migrate into the pelvis or abdomen, and cause allergic and autoimmune reaction to the materials, maiming thousands of women.
[1] More than 750,000 Essure devices have been sold worldwide since it was introduced in 2002, according to Bayer.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
18 JANUARY 2022
In the high-profile case of Lloyd v Google LLC [2021] UKSC 50, the Supreme Court handed down its final judgment in November 2021.
Following a two-day hearing, the judgment overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision to allow Mr Lloyd to continue his representative action against Google.
The case attracted a great deal of interest from lawyers and consumer rights groups as it could have allowed a group action to be brought on behalf of many claimants for loss of control of personal data, without each claimant needing to be individually identified but still entitling them to compensation.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
12 JANUARY 2022
A recent report by Stand.earth draws attention to the environmental impact of a specific component of our wardrobes: leather.
The report focuses on the fashion industry’s links to deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, which is fuelled by the cattle industry.[1]
When we think of cattle farming, the primary consumer product we tend to picture is beef. Unfortunately, the connection between cattle and the fashion industry in the form of leather goods has been given less attention.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
15 DECEMBER 2021
The Dutch regime for collective actions was overhauled when the Act on Redress of Mass Damages in Collective Action (“WAMCA” or the “Act”) entered into force.
Previously, Dutch collective actions could only be used as a steppingstone towards obtaining financial compensation, which was usually secured through a collective settlement agreement, and damages could not be claimed.
Now, almost two years since the Act was put in place, we can take a step back to examine the numerous developments and various ongoing WAMCA proceedings.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
10 DECEMBER 2021
How can you obtain a judgment without going to trial? While it may sound like a trick question, the English rules on Civil Procedure (the Civil Procedure Rules, “CPR”) provide a specific mechanism known as summary judgment (CPR 24).
Summary judgment is a discretionary power granted to judges to make a judgment on a claim or issue without going to trial.
Prior to exercising its discretion, the court must agree that the party against which judgment is made has no real prospect of success and that there is no other compelling reason the matter should proceed to trial.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
10 November 2021
Environmental litigation is on the rise as individuals and organisations seek to ensure corporations and governments uphold their environmental and human rights obligations.
The new landmark case of Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) v Santos Ltd, filed in the Federal Court of Australia on 25 August 2021, suggests this trend is set to continue.
PGMBM welcome these developments and will continue to play an active part in advocating for better protection against environmental harm and climate change, both in and outside of the courts.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
13 September 2021
U.S. discovery rules are generally more liberal and expansive than those in other countries.
United States Statute 28 USC § 1782 provides a powerful tool for litigants engaged, or about to be engaged, in a foreign proceeding to utilize U.S. discovery rules to build and litigate their case.
Under Section 1782, federal district courts have the power to order individuals and entities located in the U.S. to provide “testimony or statement [including depositions] or to produce a document or other thing for use in a foreign or international tribunal.”
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
27 October 2021
Instructing a solicitor and starting a case, especially against a large, well-resourced defendant, can seem like a daunting task.
To help PGMBM’s current and prospective clients understand the roles and responsibilities in a group litigation claim, and to advise what will be required of you to start and progress your case, we have outlined here the seven steps necessary to successfully complete your claim.
We have outlined the key points of a standard case where engagement is required and what you must do at each point.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
01 September 2021
Test cases are used to provide a clearer definition of a law, or to assess its validity. They are often used by interested groups or individuals who want to:
– Challenge the lawfulness of legislation or how the legislation is being applied
– Obtain a ruling on an untested point of law
– Overturn or confirm the way of judge has interpreted a law.
Test cases establish legal rights or principles and serve as a persuasive precedent for the future.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
16 AUGUST 2021
In countries with great environmental potential, it is common for natural resources to become one of the main sources of national income through public and private investments.
In this scenario, Brazil is a reference nation on the subject: in addition to being one of the countries with the greatest ecosystem diversity in the world, the use of these resources has a considerable effect on the country’s GDP, as it is one of the main zones of economic exploitation.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
18 June 2021
What is the future for traditional communities? How does the climate crises affect environmental justice? Which paths does Brazil have? The Brazil Forum UK brought to the conversation fundamental issues regarding the building of a fairer Brazil, with more opportunities for everybody.
PGMBM is proud of being one of the event’s sponsors.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
11 AUGUST 2021
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution? Arbitration is a private court hearing where parties agree to be bound by the decision of the mediator.
It is an alternative method to pursuing more formal litigation, which is commonly used to resolve disputes.
The recent British Airways Data Breach Settlement, in which PGMBM were the lead solicitors, was resolved on confidential terms using mediation techniques.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
16 July 2021
A class action is when a large group of affected people form a collective claim over a common legal issue. A class action is also sometimes called group litigation.
The class action will form one single claim of representative action against a defendant, person, or organisation for alleged wrongdoing.
Class actions are ways of getting justice for the masses.
14 June 2021
It is evident that there has been a marked rise in group securities litigation globally in recent years.
This can be traced back to the 2010 US Supreme Court’s decision in Morrison v National Australia Bank 561 US 247 (2010).
Author: Janice Tang, Associate at PGMBM
The Bangladesh accord commitments: an opportunits for access to justice
3 June 2021
Following reports on the poor working conditions and deficient safety in the building, the collapse sparked outrage and gave rise to the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (the Bangladesh Accord).
It was designed as a commitment for a “safe and sustainable Bangladeshi Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry and other related industries.”
ESG Litigation Finance:
investing in accountability
29 MAY 2021
Litigation is a costly procedure. Available resources can substantially impact outcomes, and smaller players are often disadvantaged against large corporations. However, the growth in litigation finance is helping to balance the scales.
Authors: Ana Carolina Salomão Queiroz, litigation finance manager at PGMBM and Gian Kull, head of special situations and uncorrelated strategies at Syz Capital
The advantages of joining a
Group Litigation Claim
21 MAY 2021
Filing a legal claim against a large company can be intimidating – especially if it has a strong legal team and a generous pool of finances. However, by choosing to be represented by a group litigation firm like PGMBM, your claim can be brought from an equally strong position.
The following five factors help to demonstrate the main advantages of instructing a group litigation firm.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
17 MAy 2021
Product liability is the legal obligation a manufacturer or seller is held to for producing or selling a faulty product.
People who suffer damages as a result of defective products can file a claim under the Consumer Protection Act, for negligence or for breach of contract.
Hotel Quarantine judicial review: What are the grounds for seeking review?
6 May 2021
We are frequently asked about the legalities of the hotel quarantine regulations and on what grounds we are seeking the review.
Our first ground is that we believe that the imposition of charges for quarantining in a government-managed hotel is unlawful because it is a direct breach of the UK’s international obligations. We also believe there is an absence of any adequate exemptions.
Hotel Quarantine judicial review: Why is this case so important to us?
27 APRIL 2021
At PGMBM we are passionate about championing justice and ensuring fairness for all. Our judicial review of the hotel quarantine is no exception to this.
Following the news that from 15 February the UK Government intended to enforce a mandatory hotel quarantine policy, we felt compelled to launch a legal challenge to ensure that the Policy receives judicial scrutiny.
23 APRIL 2021
The rapid growth of supply chains across borders has brought undeniable benefits to developing countries. However, it has also negatively impacted these communities, in particular when it comes to environmental damage and human rights violations.
Authors: Camila Manfredini and Jessika Castañon, PGMBM Associates
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
02 APRIL 2021
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution? Arbitration is a private court hearing where parties agree to be bound by the decision of the mediator.
It is an alternative method to pursuing more formal litigation, which is commonly used to resolve disputes.
18 MARCH 2021
One of PGMBM’s many talented paralegals, Eléonore Buisson, has spoken with Sciences Po about her law school experiences, her recruitment into PGMBM and her current role’s responsibilities, as well as her upcoming projects with the firm.
“The firm also stresses the importance for litigation trainees to gain international experience,” Eléonore said.
12 MARCH 2021
This follow-up article delves deeper into specific aspects of the Supreme Court’s judgment and provides a detailed commentary on its implications for the future of group litigation and jurisdictional challenges in England.
The article also discusses the interplay between Okpabi and earlier similar litigations in both the UK and in the Netherlands.
UK Supreme Court allows appeal in a group litigation involving Shell
14 Feburary 2021
In a ground-breaking judgment, the UK Supreme Court allowed an appeal in a group litigation against the oil and gas company Shell plc. The decision will allow 42,500 Nigerian victims to continue their fight for justice in England.
The appeal was concerned with the jurisdiction of the English courts against Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (“SPDC”).
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
13 January 2021
A class action is when a large group of affected people form a collective claim over a common legal issue. A class action is also sometimes called group litigation.
The class action will form one single claim of representative action against a defendant, person, or organisation for alleged wrongdoing.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
23 december 2020
A breach is the act of someone breaking, of failing to observe, their legal obligations. A contract can be breached in whole or in part.
In the case of a data breach, a trusted company can violate their legal obligations to a customer by having insufficient data security and not treating your data with the care it deserves.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
20 december 2020
Precedent is when a previous court decision is considered to be a ‘rule’ for deciding or influencing subsequent cases involving similar issues or facts.
After a precedent is set, the courts are bound to apply the law to all future cases which follow the same pattern of facts.
There are three types of precedent: original, binding, and persuasive.
“Access [to justice] denied” – Municipio de Mariana ORS v BHP PLC BHP LTD
21 december 2020
On 9 November 2020, Mr Justice Turner of the High Court, handed down a judgment that denied the jurisdiction of the English Court to adjudicate the liability of BHP Plc and BHP Ltd on the merits.
The judgment struck out the claims of over 200,000 Brazilian Claimants as an abuse of the process and further held that had the case not been struck out.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
03 DECEMBER 2020
A settlement is a resolution reached by the parties involved in a case, rather than one ordered by a judge.
Settlements are often achieved through negotiations, or some other form of dispute resolution, and can be reached before or after a judge-led trial begins.
Many civil cases are completed in this manner in an attempt to avoid long, costly and uncertain trials.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
25 November 2020
A No-Win, No-Fee agreement protects you from paying any legal fees in the event that a case is not successful. In legal jargon, this is called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
The conditional agreement is between you and the law firm you choose to represent you. It removes any risk by protecting you from court fees, lawyer’s costs and any other fees associated with a typical case.
If you join a claim on a No-Win, No-Fee basis, you will not pay a penny unless you win the case.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
18 November 2020
As the name would suggest, a steering committee helps steer and direct complex litigation.
Ordered by court, the committee is made up of a group of legal professionals who make decisions on the overall strategy of a case, carry out administrative tasks, and decide how work will be divided.
Within group litigations, a number of law firms may represent large groups of people. Therefore, the court forms a steering committee, made up of representatives of each firm, to show they can manage the litigation effectively.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
12 November 2020
Group litigations take place when your claim is managed collectively with the claims of other individuals. Courts grant Group Litigation Orders (GLO) when multiple claims give rise to the same issues.
Your claim may be treated as part of a group litigation if other claimants are seeking compensation for similar damages caused by the behaviour of the same defendant(s).
Group actions are usually brought against large companies or corporations whose behaviour has directly resulted in losses.
BLOGS FROM OUR LAWYERS
04 November 2020
In the context of law, compensation is the money you are awarded by a court for loss, damage or suffering.
The amount of money you can receive depends on a number of factors.
The purpose of compensation for damages tends to be restorative in the UK, to make up for any negative impacts or loss you may have suffered.
13 September 2021
PGMBM has now issued court proceedings after the government refused to review their controversial hotel quarantine rules.
After forcing the government into a U-turn on the costs of hotel quarantine for those facing financial hardship, PGMBM now believes that detaining fully vaccinated people for ten days in a hotel if they have tested negative on their return is an ‘unlawful deprivation of liberty’ and violates their fundamental human rights.
12 August 2021
A second judicial review is being sought by PGMBM for the Government’s controversial hotel quarantine policy. The Government could end up paying tens of millions of pounds in compensation if they do not change their approach.
We believe that the policy of detaining people for 10 days in a hotel, despite being fully vaccinated in the UK and having tested negative on their return, is an ‘unlawful deprivation of liberty’ and violates fundamental human rights.
5 July 2021
Last week, PGMBM received confirmation from the Government that we had been successful in forcing a U-turn over the costs vulnerable people were incurring as part of the hotel quarantine policy.
While the details of how this will work have not yet been laid out, we are reassured that the Government have listened to reason on this.
“It’s a fantastic outcome for everyone.”
6 May 2021
We are frequently asked about the legalities of the hotel quarantine regulations and on what grounds we are seeking the review.
Our first ground is that we believe that the imposition of charges for quarantining in a government-managed hotel is unlawful because it is a direct breach of the UK’s international obligations. We also believe there is an absence of any adequate exemptions.
27 APRIL 2021
At PGMBM we are passionate about championing justice and ensuring fairness for all. Our judicial review of the hotel quarantine is no exception to this.
Following the news that from 15 February the UK Government intended to enforce a mandatory hotel quarantine policy on British and Irish citizens and residents returning to England we felt compelled to launch a legal challenge to ensure that the Policy receives judicial scrutiny.
16 February 2021
In response to the news that the Government would be enforcing a mandatory hotel quarantine policy, PGMBM is launching a legal challenge to stand up for the human rights of those entering the UK.
Tom Goodhead, Barrister and Managing Partner of PGMBM, said: “We wholeheartedly appreciate the seriousness of the pandemic.This does not, however, mean that policies which constitute extraordinary violations.”
5 July 2021
As the court-appointed lead solicitors, PGMBM is pleased to announce that litigation with British Airways has been resolved on confidential terms.
The mediation between legal representatives for claimants and British Airways Plc resolves the group litigation on confidential terms.
Harris Pogust, PGMBM Chairman, said: “We are very pleased to have come to a resolution on this matter after constructive mediation with British Airways.”
12 January 2021
The 2018 BA Data Breach Claim has become the largest group action personal data claim in UK history, with over 16,000 victims seeking compensation from the airline. PGMBM are the lead solicitors in the group litigation case against British Airways on behalf of victims.
We expect that victim compensation could be up to £2,000, putting BA’s overall potential liability at around £800million.
Those involved now have until 19 March 2021 to sign up via the dedicated website, badatabreach.com.
British Airways Data Breach: ‘It’s time For victims to be compensated’
21 october 2021
PGMBM have welcomed the decision from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to levy British Airways’s fine over their 2018 breach.
We believe it is now time for the half a million BA customers affected by the breach to be compensated.
Harris Pogust, Partner, commented: “The move by the ICO to reduce BA’s fine should allow them to protect the business. However, it is now time for BA to compensate the victims.”
PGMBM instructs Serle Court in easyJet Data Breach Litigation
26 JUNE 2020
PGMBM has instructed Sophie Holcombe and David Blayney QC of Serle Court in ongoing litigation against the aviation giant easyJet.
One of the UK’s largest data breaches to date, questions have been raised as to the efficacy of the cyber-security measures in place at easyJet, and why the airline chose to notify the UK Information Commissioner’s Office in January, but to delay informing its customers until May.
PGMBM issues group claim on behalf of easyJet customers over data breach
22 MAy 2020
The British airline group EasyJet announced on 19 May 2020 that sensitive personal data of nine million customers from around the world had been exposed in a “sophisticated” data breach.
PGMBM, a leading international group litigation specialist have issued the claim form on behalf of impacted customers, after having been contacted by numerous affected people when the data breach was made public.
20 MAy 2020
Around 9 million easyJet customers have had their data breached in a ‘sophisticated’ cyber-attack, the airline has announced.
Email addresses and travel details were stolen by cyber-criminals and more than 2,200 customers have also had their credit and debit card details ‘accessed’, including CVV numbers.
easyJet informed the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office in January 2020 and they are currently investigating the breach.
4 October 2019
SPG Law (now PGMBM), acting on behalf of thousands of BA customers in a group action lawsuit against embattled airline following its catastrophic 2018 data breach has been granted a group litigation order by the High Court in London.
British Airways is facing legal claims from thousands of customers whose sensitive personal data was stolen and compromised by third parties who breached the company’s online reservations systems.
5 NOVEMBER 2021
More than 1,500 Brazilian orange growers are celebrating today after securing a High Court judgment that will force multi-billionaire Brazilian orange juice magnate, José Luis Cutrale, and his son, José Luis Cutrale Jr, to face trial.
The father and son will go to court in England over their alleged participation in an illegal cartel that substantially impacted the global market for the sale of orange juice.
PGMBM, acting for the orange growers, successfully argued that the case should proceed in England.
1 March 2022
PGMBM hosted an online panel event on 9 February 2022, which centred on the ongoing impact of the Dieselgate scandal in the UK and the continuing impact on the environment and public health.
Neil Parish MP, Chair of the UK Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, was a part of the panel for the event, alongside an array of experts and campaigners for clean air.
19 July 2021
Germany’s largest consumer protection group has filed a lawsuit against Daimler to help Mercedes owners get redress over the Dieselgate scandal.
If successful, the lawsuit will set a precedent that would allow Mercedes GLC and GLK car owners to gain compensation over software allegedly used to trick emissions tests in the diesel emissions scandal.
21 June 2021
Prosecutors in France have charged both Peugeot and Renault over claims they cheated emissions testing in many of their diesel vehicles.
Senior managers were accused of deceit for using ‘fraudulent strategies’ and committing emissions fraud by falsifying emissions test results and cheating emissions laws.
10 June 2021
More than 94% of parents underestimate the fatal impact of air pollution in the UK, new research has revealed.
Some 2,000 parents were polled as part of the research commissioned by MyDieselClaim.com, a campaign by leading access to justice law firm PGMBM. The research concluded that just 25% of people believed that car manufacturers were honest about the impact their vehicles had on the environment.
7 June 2021
In 2020, PGMBM launched the My Diesel Claim campaign to hold vehicle manufacturers accountable for their role in the Dieselgate scandal.
One of the questions that we are most frequently asked about is why the case is so important to us and why we are so eager to get people to sign up. Our answer is simple: accountability.
10 MAY 2021
Four months after an inquest concluded that air pollution was the cause of death for six-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a coroner has called on the UK government to change air pollution law.
Coroner Phillip Barlow, who led the original inquest into Ella’s death in December 2020, has called for national pollution limits to be reduced. He says there is ‘no safe level of particulate matter’ in the air.
21 MAY 2021
The Australian federal court has dismissed Volkswagen’s appeal against their $95 million fine. The appeal was surrounding Volkswagen’s part in the Dieselgate emissions scandal.
The Australian federal court found that they had breached consumer laws by falsifying emissions levels.
It was concluded that Volkswagen did not disclose the existence of ‘two-mode’ software.
30 APRIL 2021
In Germany, Volkswagen is seeking around $1.2 billion from ex-CEO Martin Winterkorn for his actions in the Dieselgate scandal.
If awarded, this sum would be the highest claim ever for damages against a CEO in Germany, according to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
7 APRIL 2021
In response to the growing number of manufacturers under investigation for diesel emissions fraud, PGMBM has launched a new website that will support more diesel vehicle drivers than ever before: My Diesel Claim.
MyDieselClaim.com will offer all diesel car and van owners the opportunity to claim up to £10,000 for their vehicle manufacturer’s part in the Dieselgate scandal.
4 February 2021
A record number of vehicles failed their MOT tests in 2020 due to issues relating to potentially harmful exhaust emissions.
The survey suggests that failures in 2020 increased by more than 70% when compared to pre-2018 when new guidance was offered. Sources indicate that 1.3 million vehicles were implicated, with diesel cars guilty of the most significant surge in emission failures.
28 OCTOBER 2020
PGMBM is filing a lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in line with the Dieselgate scandal.
Hundreds of thousands of diesel vehicles may be affected, including Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Iveco, and Suzuki diesel vehicles.
Anyone who owned or leased an affected vehicle first registered between 2008 and 2020 may be able to claim up to £10,000 in compensation for being misled.
18 SEPTEMBER 2020
Mercedes-Benz has agreed to pay £1.7 billion to settle diesel emission cheat claims in the United States, meaning Mercedes UK drivers may be one step closer to getting the compensation they deserve.
In a statement, Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes, said that it expected costs of £1.14bn relating to the civil and environmental claims, and £535m relating to the consumer class action.
While the US settlement is welcomed by PGMBM, British drivers may be entitled to far more.
10 september 2020
A German court has ruled that the former CEO of Volkswagen will have to stand trial as part of the Dieselgate emissions scandal.
Martin Winterkorn resigned from his post five years ago, after a notice of violation from the US Environmental Protection Agency brought to light years of VW emissions cheating.
He and four other defendants will face trial in Germany on charges of fraud in connection with aggravated tax evasion and illegal advertising in the Dieselgate scandal.
27 JUNE 2020
PGMBM has announced that it is taking legal action against vehicle manufacturers Renault and Nissan, following allegations that illegal emissions defeat devices have been fitted in a number of cars and vans.
Defeat devices are designed to sense when a car is under specific testing conditions, and accordingly turn on emissions controls, allowing the vehicle to falsely pass regulatory checks.
1 JUNE 2020
PGMBM has filed a claim against Daimler AG, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, in the Liverpool High Court. The case relates to a Mercedes diesel emissions scandal, which involves the use of defeat devices (also called ‘cheat devices’) on an estimated half million Mercedes diesel vehicles first registered between 2007 and 2018 in the United Kingdom.
These defeat device software systems change the way the vehicles function in test scenarios, to help them meet required emissions levels.
1 JULY 2019
A number of barristers from Exchange Chambers have been instructed by SPG Law (mow PGMBM) to advise on the Volkswagen “Dieselgate” class action.
SPG Law are acting for over 16,000 car owners who bought a diesel VW, Audi, Skoda or Seat car between 2008 and 2015.
On the 18 September 2015 it was first alleged by US authorities that VW had sought to cheat the US emissions testing regime in respect of NOx emissions by fitting their vehicles with illegal “defeat devices”.
1 MARCH 2019
A record breaking settlement decision has been reached in the Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ scandal in the USA after VW allegedly fitted ‘defeat devices’ in its vehicles.
A final figure of $14.7 billion was approved by US District Court Judge Charles Breyer on 25 October 2016. The money is the largest settlement sum in US history and will be used to compensate more than 475,000 drivers.
3 DECEMBER 2021
PGMBM is the proud sponsor of a ground-breaking initiative to educate schools on Black history, which was made possible through our Corporate Social Responsibility programme.
Understanding the importance of Black history education, we helped to fund the initiative to help embolden teachers to educate pupils using the medium of arts, crafts, and music.
11 NOVEMBER 2021
Data breach specialists PGMBM are supporting customers of Sky Betting & Gaming after the gambling giant admitted to exposing recovering and vulnerable addicts to “free spin” offers.
It is thought that up to 120,000 people – who had explicitly asked Sky Bet and their sister company Sky Vegas not to send them betting correspondence – were sent multiple promotional emails during Safer Gambling week in a catastrophic mistake.
12 August 2021
A second judicial review is being sought by PGMBM for the Government’s controversial hotel quarantine policy. The Government could end up paying tens of millions of pounds in compensation if they do not change their approach.
We believe that the policy of detaining people is an ‘unlawful deprivation of liberty’ and violates fundamental human rights.
5 JULY 2021
As the court-appointed lead solicitors, PGMBM is pleased to announce that litigation with British Airways has been resolved on confidential terms. The mediation between legal representatives for claimants and British Airways Plc resolves the group litigation on confidential terms.
Harris Pogust, PGMBM Chairman, said: “We are very pleased to have come to a resolution on this matter.”
5 July 2021
Last week, PGMBM received confirmation from the Government that we had been successful in forcing a U-turn over the costs vulnerable people were incurring as part of the hotel quarantine policy.
While the details of how this will work have not yet been laid out, we are reassured that the Government have listened to reason on this.
10 June 2021
More than 94% of parents underestimate the fatal impact of air pollution in the UK, new research has revealed.[1]
While three-quarters of parents (73%) said they were concerned about the effect of air pollution on their children’s health, the study showed that 60% don’t know if they live in a high or low pollution area or how to find out.
7 April 2021
In response to the growing number of manufacturers under investigation for diesel emissions fraud, PGMBM has launched a new website that will support more diesel vehicle drivers than ever before: My Diesel Claim.
MyDieselClaim.com will offer all diesel car and van owners the opportunity to claim up to £10,000 for their vehicle manufacturer’s part in the Dieselgate scandal.
16 February 2021
In response to the news that the Government would be enforcing a mandatory hotel quarantine policy, PGMBM is launching a legal challenge to stand up for the human rights of those entering the UK.
Tom Goodhead, Barrister and Managing Partner of PGMBM, said: “We wholeheartedly appreciate the seriousness of the pandemic.This does not, however, mean that policies which constitute extraordinary violations.”
CONTACT US
+44 3330 155 900
70 Mark Lane, London, EC3R 7NQ
Pogust Goodhead (a trading name of PGMBM Law Ltd) SRA License Number 512898.
Pogust Goodhead is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and complies with the Solicitors Code of Conduct, a copy of which can be located here.
VAT No: 974 7183 77
CONTACT US
+44 03330 155 900
70 Mark Lane, London, EC3R 7NQ
PGMBM (a trading name of PGMBM Law Ltd)
SRA License Number 512898
PGMBM is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and complies with the Solicitors Code of Conduct, a copy of which can be located here.
