Collective proceedings regime first: CAT awards damages to UK Apple users in Dr Rachael Kent v Apple
In a historical first, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has found a defendant liable in a collective action and handed down a monumental damages award against Apple.
Dr Rachael Kent represents a class of approximately 36 million UK iPhone and iPad users, which includes consumers and UK businesses. The CAT upheld all of Dr Kent’s allegations that had abused its dominant position in the markets for the distribution of iOS apps and in-app payment services.
In an article first published in the December 2025 issue of PLC Magazine, Lesley Hannah, Sofie Edwards, and Michael Zymler provide an excellent overview of the CAT’s judgment and identify key takeaways for both the collective regime and competition damages claims generally.
Case details: Dr Rachael Kent v Apple Inc and others [2025] CAT 67.
