Group Litigation Orders (GLOs) are vital to the UK legal system.
By consolidating multiple claims into one legal action, GLOs streamline the legal process, making it easier for everyone involved.
Find out how GLOs work, what types of cases they cover, and how they can benefit you. Whether you’re considering joining an existing claim or just want to understand your options, we give you the clarity you need.
How GLOs work in the UK
A GLO is a court order that brings similar claims together into a single legal action.
For example, after the British Airways data breach, a GLO let affected passengers combine their claims against the airline into one unified case. Unlike class actions in the US, where individuals are automatically included unless they opt out, you must actively opt in to participate in a GLO.
Here’s a closer look at how the process works:
Applying for a GLO
A court must approve a GLO before a group action can proceed.
Typically, a solicitor will make an application, and the court will decide if the claims are suitable for a GLO based on factors such as:
- The number of people affected
- The similarity of their claims
- Whether grouping the claims improves efficiency and fairness.
If the court approves the application, it formally authorises the GLO.
Establishing the GLO
Once a GLO is authorised, the court sets out the framework for managing the claims.
This includes:
- Creating a group register: This is a list of all the individuals included under the GLO.
- Appointing a managing court: A single court oversees the litigation, ensuring consistency across all claims and avoiding conflicting decisions.
- Identifying common issues: These are the shared legal or factual matters that affect all claims in the group. Resolving these issues forms the foundation of the case.
- Setting deadlines: The court establishes a timeline for registering claims and completing other critical steps in the litigation process.
Managing a GLO
Once a Group Litigation Order is in place, the managing court oversees the litigation. Its role is to ensure the claims are handled efficiently and fairly, avoiding unnecessary duplication while addressing the common issues central to the group’s case.
Here’s how the process works:
- Setting procedural rules: The court lays out clear guidelines for filing documents, sharing evidence, and scheduling hearings.
- Selecting lead cases: In some cases, the court will choose one or more lead cases to address the common issues shared by the group. These cases set a precedent and help guide decisions for the other claims in the GLO.
- Sharing evidence: The court consolidates evidence so everyone benefits from the same materials, like expert reports and witness statements.
This structured approach ensures all claims in the GLO are handled fairly while avoiding unnecessary delays.
Compensation and group litigation orders UK
While a single GLO can manage hundreds, thousands, or even millions of cases, not every claimant will get the same level of compensation if the case is successful.
Instead, compensation is usually tailored to each individual’s circumstances. Factors that influence compensation under a GLO include:
- Impact of the wrongdoing: The extent of harm or damage you’ve suffered will play a key role in determining your payout.
- Strength of the case: If you have strong evidence to support your claim, you may receive a higher award.
- Use of test cases: The outcome of these cases often influences the compensation awarded to other participants.
Types of cases commonly managed by GLOs
Group Litigation Orders can apply to a wide range of disputes where many people have been affected in a similar way. Some of the most common include:
- Consumer claims. GLOs are frequently used where consumers have suffered widespread harm, such as misleading advertising or unfair sales practices.
- Environmental damage. When pollution or land contamination affects entire communities, GLOs provide a way for residents to seek justice collectively.
- Product liability. Product liability cases are a common form of group litigation, particularly where a defect causes harm at scale
- Financial mis-selling. Where large numbers of people have been mis-sold pensions, investments or insurance products, GLOs can be used to manage claims efficiently and consistently.
- Data breaches. GLOs have become a vital tool in addressing mass data breaches. These cases typically involve companies failing to protect customer or employee data, resulting in widespread harm.
Benefits and limitations of GLOs for claimants
GLOs offer several advantages, but they also come with some drawbacks. Here’s what you need to know:
| Pros | Cons | |
| Legal process | Consolidates similar claims, reducing duplication and saving time for claimants and courts. | May not address the unique aspects of your individual case. |
| Eligibility | Ensures only claimants with valid cases can participate, strengthening the overall litigation. | Strict eligibility criteria may exclude some claimants, even if they feel they have a legitimate claim. |
| Costs | Shared legal costs make it more affordable for individuals to seek justice. | Costs may still be significant for some claimants, especially if the case is prolonged or requires experts. No-win, no-fee can help. |
| Outcomes | Collective action strengthens claimants’ negotiating position, increasing the chances of settlements. | Compensation may be divided among all claimants, potentially leading to smaller individual payouts. |
| Efficiency | Shared evidence and expert reports streamline the process, avoiding repetitive work. | Complex cases involving many claimants or extensive evidence can take years to resolve. |
GLOs and no-win, no fee agreements
Group Litigation Orders often involve complex legal claims that can take years to resolve, making the cost of pursuing a claim a significant concern for many individuals.
To address this, solicitors handling GLOs often offer no-win-no-fee agreements. No-win, no-fee lets you participate in group claims without any financial risk. However, T&Cs will likely apply.
Here’s how it works:
- No upfront costs: You usually won’t pay anything unless your case is successful.
- Success fees: If the claim succeeds, your solicitor’s fees are deducted from your compensation. Some agreements cap the success fee at a percentage of the compensation, but it’s important to confirm this before joining.
- Insurance protection: Many solicitors take out After-the-Event (ATE) insurance to cover the costs of losing a case.
How to join an existing GLO
If you think you have a valid claim and want to join an ongoing GLO, here’s how to get started:
1. Research existing GLOs
The first step is to find GLOs that are relevant to your situation. Information on active GLOs is available through:
- The UK government’s official list of GLOs (although this doesn’t provide details on how to join a claim).
- Solicitors specialising in group litigation
- Join the Claim
2. Check your eligibility
Each GLO has specific eligibility requirements, such as the type of harm suffered or the timeframe in which the wrongdoing occurred. Make sure your circumstances match the criteria.
When you find a relevant group action on Join the Claim, we often provide handy eligibility checkers to help you do this.
3. Appoint a solicitor
If you are eligible, the next step is to engage a solicitor experienced in GLOs. They will explain the process and handle the legal work required to join.
At Join the Claim, where we have a partner law firm in place, we can help with this process. Once done, they’ll manage your claim going forward.
3. Join the group register
Once joined, your solicitor will add your claim to the GLO’s group register, ensuring all necessary paperwork is completed on time.
4. Stay informed
Your lawyers will keep you updated on the case’s progress. This includes collecting evidence and telling you about any deadlines and updates from the managing court.
GLOs are not the only route to justice in the UK
While Group Litigation Orders are an important tool, they are not the only way people can pursue collective legal action in the UK. In some cases, a different mechanism — known as an opt-out collective action — may apply.
Opt-out claims operate very differently from GLOs.
Rather than requiring individuals to actively sign up, eligible people are automatically included in the claim unless they choose to opt out. This model is designed to address situations where harm is widespread but individual losses may be too small for most people to bring a claim themselves.
Not every mass harm situation is suitable for an opt-out claim, and not every group case will proceed under a GLO.
At Join the Claim, we clearly explain what type of collective action applies to each case — whether it’s a Group Litigation Order or an opt-out claim — so you understand exactly where you stand and what, if anything, you need to do next.
Group litigation orders UK: a simpler path to justice
By consolidating similar cases, GLOs ensure consistency, reduce costs, and make it easier for individuals to seek justice.
Understanding how GLOs work is essential for anyone considering collective legal action, and might be the best route to achieving fair compensation.
If you believe you have a valid claim, don’t wait! Research active GLOs now and take action to protect your rights.
Check our website for the latest updates on ongoing claims.
Join the Claim connects consumers with SRA-regulated lawyers. You can check your eligibility if a claim is open with one of our trusted legal partners. If a group action has not yet been launched, simply register your interest, and we’ll keep you informed if a partner firm decides to take a claim forward.
- Last Updated: January 2026
- Next Update Scheduled: January 2027
