Lead judgments bind emissions cases

The UK High Court is hearing a mega‑case where rulings on five lead automakers will also bind the cases against other manufacturers, streamlining a 1.6‑million‑owner claim over alleged diesel defeat devices. If successful, estimated damages exceed $8 billion and could set a template for large environmental and consumer mass actions. — A binding lead‑defendant strategy in a record mass action could become a model for enforcing environmental law and consumer protection at scale against multinational firms.