Lawyer Monthly Magazine - September 2021 Edition

MONTHLY ROUND-UP On 15 August, Taliban militants retook Kabul almost two decades after being driven from Afghanistan’s capital by US troops. The resurgence has led to widespread concerns for Afghani citizens, particularly women, children, and minority groups. A UK court approved a £10 billion plus class action lawsuit against global payments processor Mastercard. Claimants have said the class action could entitle 46 million British citizens to approximately £300 each if it is successful. LEGAL GROUPS URGE UK GOVERNMENT TO HELP FEMALE JUDGES ANDOTHER LEGAL PROFESSIONALS IN AFGHANISTAN MASTERCARD TO FACE UK’S LARGEST CLASS ACTION OVER FEES In the UK, legal groups Bar Council, Bar Human Rights Committee, and Law Society have expressed grave concern about the fate of at least 250 female judges in the country. The groups have issued a joint statement on the situation: “The Bar Council, the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, and the Law Society of England and Wales are gravely concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and safety and asylum in the UK to those women judges, their families, and other members of the legal profession who are in serious danger.” The lawsuit, which was brought by former financial ombudsman Walter Merricks, was previously rejected by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). However, last Wednesday, passed on to the consumers as retailers increased their prices. The case is being brought on behalf of all people aged between 16 and above the fate of all those who are working in the justice system of Afghanistan who are now facing a perilous future as the Taliban have taken power. We are extremely worried about the situation of at least 250 women judges in the country who we consider to be at particular risk. “We urge the UK government not to abandon these courageous defenders of the rule of law and – in liaison with its international allies – to offer evacuation and The UK parliament has been recalled from its summer recess to debate the quickly evolving situation in Afghanistan. LM the CAT authorised the landmark case which alleges Mastercard charged excessive “interchange” fees between May 1992 and June 2008. Mr Merrick’s case claims that these fees were who purchased goods and services from a UK business that accepted Mastercard between the aforementioned dates, unless they opt out of the suit. Mr Merricks had hoped to expand the scope of the case to include compound interest and the estates of the deceased to the claim. However, this was rejected by UK judges. In a statement, Mastercard said it was “confident that over the coming months a review of key facts will further significantly reduce the size and viability of the claim.” LM 6 WWW.LAWYER-MONTHLY.COM | SEP 2021