Hello and welcome to the Fides Weekly Update. Take a look at this week’s key trends, moves and developments in legal and compliance.
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This week:
1. VW woes continue as German class action is set in motion
New rules in Germany have made it possible for consumers to file a class action lawsuit against carmaker VW, bringing attention back to the emissions scandal, which first began in 2015.
The first US-style class action lawsuit has been filed in Germany by consumer federation VZBV, thanks to a new law passed yesterday that allows consumers to take legal action as a collective rather than having to make a case individually.
Seeking justice for consumers, VZBV are hoping to win damages for car owners affected by ‘dieselgate’ by establishing whether their vehicles’ engines had been intentionally tampered with in order to report reduced emissions.
Whilst US owners received compensation for any wrongdoing, in Germany VW agreed a deal with regulators to rectify the problem and retain its roadworthy certification rather than pay out to consumers. This recent filing aims to support those who feel out of pocket, as described by VZBV spokeswoman Sarah Hoare: “The damage for every consumer can be several thousand euros and there is no sign of the car industry to compensate for the damage they have caused.”
Financial penalties concerning the German automotive company’s actions have been steadily mounting. In North America, the total amount paid in relation to damages has reached $25bn, including a $2.8bn fine. Meanwhile public prosecutors in Germany have fined VW €1bn for its criminal actions in the scandal, whilst in the UK, a group of 10,000 VW owners filed a class action lawsuit in January 2017, seeking a £30m settlement.
According to Bloomberg, VW shares jumped this week despite a hefty loss in operating profit reported in their Q3 earnings. An 18.6% decline was a blow to the carmaker’s bottom line as a result of weaker vehicle sales and the regulatory impact of tighter emissions testing. However, these figures were higher than investor expectations, causing a 5.86 rise in share price on the morning results were posted.
Movers & Shakers of the week
Appointments
Process kicks off to elect next senior partner at Travers Smith
Moves
Irwin Micthell bolsters corporate department with a bank head of legal
Winston Green has left his role as head of legal at Sainsbury’s Bank to join Irwin Mitchell’s London office as a corporate partner
W&C makes an addition to its London regulatory practice
JP Morgan Chase executive director and assistant general counsel Julia Smithers-Excell has joined the London office of White & Case, joining the firm as a financial services regulatory partner
Kirkland four-strong team hire strengthens new IP practice launched earlier this year
Allen & Overy IP lawyers Daniel Lim and Katie Coltart will both join Kirkland & Ellis as partners, bringing with them associates Jin Ooi and Steven Baldwin.
Jones Day lose another partner in its City office
Corporate tax lawyer Charlotte Sallabank departs Jones Day to join Katten Munchin Rosenman’s London practice
Greenberg hires new partner to its City white-collar, defence and special situations practice
Former SFO prosecutor Anne-Marie Ottaway has left Pinsent Masons to join Greenberg Traurig in London along with Pinsents associate Gareth Hall
Mergers & Alliances
Gordon Dadds & Ince & Co confirm plans to merge and form new entity titled Ince Gordon Dadds
Partner Promotions
Lathams makes 31 global partner promotions, including nine City-based lawyers
Garrigues promotes 15 to partnership
Ropes & Gray promotes record 24 lawyers to partner, with one in London
Diversity & Inclusion