The ‘absolutely first-class’ team at Leigh Day specialises in advising claimants in a wide range of class actions, from employment and consumer cases to environmental claims. The firm acts for classes of claimants based across the globe, including a number of Brazilian communities in contamination claims. These groups often comprise tens of thousands of individuals and bring claims arising from issues in the retail, automotive and oil and gas sectors. The ’calm and persuasive’ Martyn Day represents claimants in cases where parent company liability and jurisdiction are in dispute. Richard Meeran advises on health & safety and environmental claims, while Sapna Malik is an expert in human rights litigation. Experienced before the Supreme Court, Dan Leader focuses on environmental and human rights law litigation.
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Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Leigh Day remains the very top firm in group litigation. They are the firm by which all standards in the area are set.
- Kiran Daurka and Paula Lee are inspiring leaders for their teams, clever, capable, and incredibly thoughtful - the team you would want on your side.
- This is the team you would want fighting for you - intuitive, creative, experienced, and battle-hardened for justice for their clients. Absolutely first class.
- Leigh Day has unrivaled experience in dealing with innovative large group claims. Individual solicitors are experts in the area, and the whole team works well together to achieve great results for their clients.
- One of the most experienced and courageous consumer claimant group litigation firms.
- Martyn Day is the king of claimant group litigation. He is calm and persuasive (including with judges).
- There are too many people to name. Martyn Day is the king of this practice area. Nichola Marshall has done a brilliant job running the emissions cases, deputizing Martyn Day. Sophie Colyer, Anna Crowther, and Mary Westmacott have been the beating heart of the emissions cases at Senior Associate level. Sapna Malik, Mel Jacques, and Sophie Turner are all exceptional partners, specializing in international cases.
- They are the best group litigation firm in the country, bar none.
- Sarah Moore - A wonderful partner, hugely clever and happy to take on big fights. A good tactician and a very sound, thoughtful lawyer.
- Richard Meeran - tenacious, knowledgeable, builds great teams, good judgment.
Key clients
- Stade de France group claim
- Diesel emissions group litigation
- The Ogale and Bille Communities, Nigeria
- Kabwe lead poisoning class action
- Villagers of Fort Dauphin/Taolagnaro Communities
- Residents Newcastle-under-Lyme
- Current and former employees of McDonald’s
- GMB members working at various local authorities
- Addison Lee drivers
Work highlights
Representing more than 1,300 affected supporters, including Hillsborough survivors, in what is believed to be the first consumer group action of its kind brought against UEFA.
Acting in claims for compensation against Audi, BMW, Citroen, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes, Nissan/Renault, Peugeot, Porsche, Seat, Skoda, Vauxhall, VW, Volvo and others brought on behalf of over 1.2 million vehicle owners, and constituting the largest ever consumer group action in the UK.
Representing thousands of residents of the River Wye Valley in relation to a potential group action relating to the phosphorous pollution of the River Wye in West England and Wales caused by sewage pollution and intensive poultry farming.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
Sapna Malik; Richard Meeran; Gene Matthews; Tessa Gregory; Emma Satyamurti; Nigel Mackay; Sally Moore
Other key lawyers
Martyn Day; Oliver Holland; Matthew Renshaw; Dan Leader