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):
This claim is being brought by a leading competition law academic Dr Or Brook, who is an Associate Professor of Competition Law at the University of Oxford (and fellow at Pembroke College). 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 ‘Class Representative’ in this claim. This means that Dr Brook will, herself, be responsible for all decisions taken in respect of this claim.
Dr Brook is paid £250 per hour for her role as Class Representative in this claim and has agreed to cap the amount she charges for any one day at £750. These rates are not contingent on the outcome of the claim and have been approved by the Tribunal.
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 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 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.
To see the Financing Agreement click here
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. Class Members do not face any personal risk in relation to these proceedings.
Or Brook Class Representative Limited has filed an application for permission to bring collective proceedings as a Class Representative on an opt-out basis against:
Alphabet Inc;
Google LLC;
Google Ireland Limited;
Google UK Limited;
Google Asia Pacific Pte Limited; and
Google Commerce Limited.
(together "Google").
For collective proceedings to be brought, the CAT must first make a Collective Proceedings Order (a “CPO”) authorising a person to act as representative for the class and certifying the claims as eligible for inclusion in collective proceedings.
Following a hearing on 8 July 2026, on 5 August 2026 the CAT released their Judgment which concluded that Or Brook Class Representative should be authorised to act as the class representative and that the claim can proceed on a collective basis.
On 30 September 2026, the CAT made a CPO authorising Or Brook Class Representative to act as representative for the class.
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 class representative (“CR”) 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 CR 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 Brook 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.
How do I opt out of the claim?
If you or your organisation fall within the class definition in the Notice and were based in the UK on 5 August 2026 and you want to opt out – i.e. be removed from the Proceedings you can complete the online form here or download it here and send via email to [email protected] or via post to:
Search Advertisers Claim
PO Box 13721
Braintree
CM7 0RJ
To be processed, the opt-out letter must be received or postmarked by 4pm on 8 January 2027.
If the opt-out letter is not received or postmarked by 4pm on 8 January 2027 then you will not be able to opt out of the class without the permission of the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Once the opt out is received and processed, you will be sent an acknowledgement by email if you have provided an email address, or by post if not.
By opting out, you will not be entitled to receive a payment from the proceedings if money becomes available in due course. However, you may be able to bring your own separate claim against the Defendants for the same issues.
Any member of the Class may opt out. By opting out, you will not be entitled to receive a payment from the proceedings if money becomes available in due course. However, you may be able to bring your own separate claim against the Defendants for the same issues.
Further information can be found in the Notice that has been approved by the Tribunal, which can be found here.
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 class representative’s team here.
For any media enquiries, please contact: [email protected].