Dieselgate Litigation: A Major Step Forward For Claimants

The first round of the high-profile diesel emissions litigation, often referred to as “Dieselgate,” has gone to the claimants, with the High Court delivering a significant blow to Mercedes-Benz. The ruling rejected the company's argument that British courts should be bound by decisions of the German motor transport regulator, the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA). This decision sets a crucial precedent for the 2025 trial involving multiple car manufacturers.

The Case Against Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz contended that the KBA's original type approvals of their vehicles – which stated they complied with emissions regulations – should be binding on courts in both Germany and England. This would effectively prevent British consumers from bringing claims over prohibited defeat devices (PDDs) in the UK.