Data Protection, Shipping and Insurance: 2021 so far in Claims

Today we take a look back on the first 4 months of 2021 (Jan-Apr), a year poised to reflect not only the early days of litigation in post-Brexit Britain, but also the road to recovery from Covid-19 and its economic impacts. 

In first place is Pure Legal Ltd, an outlier that started the year slowly but by the end of April it was at the top, receiving a considerable boost from multiple relatively low-value data protection claims against Rematch Credit Ltd and Divide Buy Ltd and numerous other organisations. 

Last year’s litigation heavyweights continue to dominate the pack. Clyde & Co LLP come in second, continuing to show demonstrate high levels of activity, involved in a multitude of shipping claims against MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA and A.P. Møller–Mærsk, as well as insurance claims versus Allianz Insurance Plc and QBE Insurance Group Ltd. Kennedys Law LLP seemed poised for a spot in the top three but halfway through the quarter were surpassed by DAC Beachcroft LLP and Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP, both involved in defending clients in data protection disputes among other cases.

Overall, 1708 claims were brought in the High Court in the first third of this year. This is 7.5% up on the same period in 2020, but given this period in 2020 encompassed the start of the first lockdown, it suggests activity levels are actually fairly consistent.