The High Court gives directions relating to a Group Litigation Order in Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell

Rebecca Burton, Oorvi Mehta

In Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell [2022] EWHC 989 (TCC), the High Court declined to grant a GLO on the basis that it would be premature, and directed that each individual claimant should specify additional details to formulate a proper cause of action for the defendants to respond to. While an earlier decision of the Supreme Court in this case (discussed here) arguably increased the group litigation risk that UK domiciled parent companies face before the English courts, this decision makes clear that those bringing group litigation claims cannot take shortcuts and must comply with established procedures and rules. 

We take a closer look at the ruling in Okpabi in a briefing note that you can access via the link below.