Litigation Radar: Apple faces £2bn app developers action, Nickel Crisis competition claim and SRA privilege judgment
The latest litigation developments include a £2 billion collective proceedings claim against Apple, a novel damages claim against the London Metal Exchange arising from the 2022 Nickel Crisis and a significant ruling on legal professional privilege.
Published fortnightly, our Litigation Radar explores the latest court proceedings and claims shaping the litigation landscape. This edition covers competition and regulatory disputes, plus fallout in the oil & gas sector.
Law firms featured
Jones Day • Hausfeld & Co LLP • Clifford Chance LLP • BCL Solicitors LLP • Jenner & Block London LLP • Clyde & Co LLP • Trowers & Hamlins LLP
BL-2026-001170: Glencore Energy UK Ltd v Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery Ltd (in liquidation)
The High Court has granted Glencore permission to bring proceedings against Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery despite the statutory stay triggered by its liquidation. Glencore alleges it was fraudulently induced into supplying over $230 million of crude oil to PLOR before the refinery's June 2025 collapse, and is seeking rescission of the sale agreements and a proprietary tracing claim into the oil or its proceeds.
1790/7/7/26: ATT Collective Action Limited v Apple Inc, Apple Distribution International Limited, Apple (UK) Limited & Apple Europe Limited
App developers have applied for a collective proceedings order against Apple, alleging its App Tracking Transparency framework breached competition law. Aggregate damages are estimated at approximately £1.95 billion. Track this claim for updates on whether the CPO is certified.
1791/5/7/26: Elliott Associates, L.P. and Another v The London Metal Exchange and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
Elliott Associates has brought a Competition Appeal Tribunal claim against the London Metal Exchange and its parent company HKEX, alleging abuse of dominance over the cancellation of nickel trades during the March 2022 "Nickel Crisis". Elliott stood to receive over $728 million on the cancelled trades. The Tribunal has granted permission to serve HKEX out of the jurisdiction, though the Chair flagged the underlying abuse theory as novel.
KB-2026-000426: Carter-Ruck Solicitors and another v Solicitors Regulation Authority
Judgment has been handed down rejecting the SRA's power to compel disclosure of privileged client correspondence during investigations. The court held legal professional privilege is a fundamental right that Parliament would have expressly overridden had it intended to. The ruling is widely expected to be appealed. Track this claim for updates on any appeal to the Court of Appeal.
CL-2026-000490: Serica Energy (UK) Limited and others v Shell U.K. Limited and others
A group of North Sea oil companies has brought a £10 million+ claim against Shell. Limited detail is available following recent publication of the claim form. Track this claim for updates as further detail becomes available.
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