Timeline

The French Competition Authority issues a Decision fining Google €220m.

The European Commission opens an investigation into Google’s conduct in ad tech.

The Competition and Markets Authority opens an investigation into Google’s conduct in ad tech.

Claudio Pollack’s original claim is filed with the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

The US Department of Justice sues Google in relation to its conduct in ad tech.

Charles Arthur’s original claim is filed with the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

The Tribunal holds a case management conference in Claudio Pollack v Alphabet Inc. and others (Case no. 1572/7/7/22) to consider how to appropriately case manage issues relating to carriage and timing. The Tribunal invites Charles Arthur’s legal representatives to be heard on these issues.

Tribunal hands down its judgment in the Pollack case management conference in which it determines that the question of carriage should be heard before the question of certification.

The European Commission sends a Statement of Objections to Google over abusive practices in ad tech.

Claudio Pollack and Charles Arthur apply to the Competition Appeal Tribunal to amalgamate their claims against Google with Ad Tech Collective Action LLP as the new Class Representative.

The CAT orders the consolidation of Claudio Pollack and Charles Arthur’s proceedings and the appointment of Ad Tech Collective Action LLP as the new Class Representative.

At the certification hearing, lasting for 3 days beginning on 8 May 2024, the CAT determines whether Ad Tech Collective Action LLP’s claim should proceed.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal hands down its judgment giving permission for Ad Tech Collective Action LLP to proceed with the claims as the Class Representative.

The UK Competition and Markets Authority issues a statement of objections to Google in respect of alleged abuses of dominance in open-display advertising.

The CAT issues a Collective Proceedings Order, which formally certifies the case as a collective action.

Google sought to appeal the CAT’s certification judgment on three grounds, all of which failed before the CAT and the Court of Appeal.

The US District Court of Eastern Virginia publishes its judgment in relation to the US Department of Justice’s claim against Google, finding that Google engaged in illegal monopolisation of the ad tech market.

The CAT holds its first procedural hearing since certifying the claim, ordering a trial to take place in autumn 2028. In between now and then, the parties will exchange evidence and Google must provide documents to the Class Representative. Other procedural steps are discussed, including a “list of issues” in the case, Google’s costs and the implementation of a confidentiality regime.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal makes an Order in respect of the agreement of a list of issues with Google, disclosure and the listing of subsequent Case Management Conferences. The next Case Management Conference has been scheduled for 18 December 2025 for 1 day, with 1 day in reserve. Trial has been listed from the first available date on or after 25 September 2028.

On 5 September 2025 the European Commission announced the adoption of an infringement decision against Google for its conduct and subjected Google to a €2.95 billion fine.