The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) warned yesterday that the plan could create a ‘litigation industry’ around competition law, ultimately detering inward growth, reports London-based Law Gazette newspaper.

Quicker and cheaper

The business lobby group said incentives such as reduced fines to participate in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) should be introduced, which would lead to a ‘quicker and cheaper’ system of redress.
Matthew Fell, CBI director for competitive markets, said: ‘At a time when the unrelenting focus must be growth, the government should set out a strong message that the UK is open for business, not open for litigation. The government is in danger of importing a number of features of the US class-action system into the UK, including opt-out arrangements, awarding of aggregate damages and a distribution of surplus funds.’