Competition tribunal dismisses £1.3 billion class action claim against BT

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy BT has successfully defended a £1.3 billion class action over allegations it “disproportionately overcharged” its landline customers. A BT spokesman said: “Today the Competition Appeal Tribunal handed down its judgment in the case of Justin Le Patourel v BT Group plc in which the CAT has dismissed the claim and found that BT Group’s conduct did not breach competition law. “We take our responsibilities to all of our customers very seriously and welcome today’s ruling.” Mr Le Patourel said: “While I am pleased that the Tribunal has recognised BT’s dominant position in the market, and the significant and persistent nature of its excessive pricing, I am disappointed that it did not agree that these prices were unfair. “However, we are carefully considering the Tribunal’s decision and whether the next step will be an appeal to the Court of Appeal to challenge this verdict.” Mr Le Patourel’s adviser Sarah Houghton, a partner at law firm Mishcon de Reya, said: “As the first collective proceedings tried since the Consumer Rights Act 2015 introduced the regime in the UK, this is a watershed moment in the development of the collective proceeding regime in that it is the first judgment of its kind.