The news comes after Virgin last week (14 September) filed a stipulation in the
Cohen Milstein, which had already announced its intention to bring a civil action against the airline, is now formally able to launch the class action. The airline was initially protected from payouts when it gained immunity from the US Government after alerting regulators to anti-competitive practices.
Cohen Milstein name partner Michael Hausfeld and antitrust partner Charles Tompkins are leading the team for claimants involved in the class action.
Hausfeld commented: “We hope to accelerate the proceedings against Virgin and BA by using this admission as a basis upon what price prevailed in the market as a result of the illegal agreements.”
Herbert Smith competition head Jonathan Scott and competition partner James Quinney are advising longstanding client Virgin, with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett litigation partner David Vann acting as US counsel.
Clifford Chance London head of European competition Alex Nourry commented: “There has been a pincer movement across the globe where countries are gradually adopting similar legislation with regard to cartels.”
He added: “The stakes have been going up and up against cartelists through a combination of higher costs and criminal sanctions.”
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Cohen Milstein’s role acting against Virgin comes less than six months after the
