International and group claims

Operating from our Manchester and Leeds offices, we represent people in the UK and around the world seeking justice through group claims on environmental, human rights, product safety, consumer protection and other issues.

At Leigh Day, we represent individuals and communities to hold large corporations and public bodies to account.

Our lawyers lead complex legal actions locally and internationally, covering areas such as environmental harm, human rights abuses, product liability, and consumer claims.

With offices in Manchester and Leeds, we are committed to supporting communities throughout the North of England and beyond. Whether you want to join an existing group claim or believe you have a new case, our team is here to help.  

What the directories say

Leigh Day is a really committed and innovative practice. The quality of both partners and associates in terms of their engagement, experience and expertise is really second to none.

Legal 500, 2026

Our cases

Group Claim
Lake Windermere Optimized 200

Windermere Sewage Pollution Register of Interest

Leigh Day is currently investigating potential legal action against United Utilities over its pollution of Windermere.

Blog Post
Chemical plant
International Environment PFAS

Leigh Day continues to investigate issues surrounding the alleged contamination of allotment plots situated near AGC Chemicals plant in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire.

Wyre Council announced in July 2024 that it had, in conjunction with the Environment Agency, launched an investigation after discovering the probable release of the chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) by AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd, and previously Imperial Chemistry Industries Ltd (ICI), at a site in the area.

Case Study
Vaccine for COVID-19

AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Claim

Leigh Day is representing 50 individuals and families who claim they suffered a serious and, in some instances deadly, complication of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

News Article
Factory Skyline 2
Environment International PFAS Forever chemicals

Seven homes identified as “high risk” due to PFAS contaminated soil in Thornton-Cleveleys

Investigations into the presence of ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS in soil near an industrial site in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, has identified seven nearby homes as “high risk”.

News Article
Signing Legal Letter1
PFAS Environment Group claims

Bentham PFAS Claims Joint Statement

At Leigh Day, our UK and international group litigation team represents communities across the globe, including those in Malawi, Nigeria, Peru, and South Africa, in cases spanning modern slavery, environmental harm, and other major human rights issues.

In the UK, our Manchester and Leeds offices are leading significant legal actions in the North of England and further afield. Some of our most notable ongoing work includes: 

Our cases

Leigh Day is representing over 250,000 drivers in legal action against five major car manufacturers over allegations that they used unlawful emissions-control devices. This litigation, often referred to as ‘Dieselgate’, is the largest group claim in English and Welsh legal history. 

Starting in October 2025 the 10-week trial at the High Court in London marked a significant stage in the proceedings.  

Whilst we are no longer accepting new claims against several vehicle manufacturers, our emissions team is continuing to accept claims for vehicles manufactured by Volvo. Check your eligibility [here]. 

Environmental work is a big part of what we do in the international department. Right now, we’re looking into a potential claim against United Utilities over sewage pollution in Windermere. Our aim is to support individuals and businesses in the local community who may have been affected. Click here to find out more. 

The environmental team at Leigh Day is also working on cases involving PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment and can accumulate over time. 

Our environmental team, based in Leeds, are is currently investigating allegations of PFAS contamination affecting allotment plots near the AGC Chemicals plant in Thornton Cleveleys in the North West, supporting local communities concerned about potential health risks and environmental impact. 

This legal action is being led by Leigh Day’s product liability team, based in Leeds, on behalf of individuals who allege they suffered rare but serious complications following receipt of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. While the vaccine played an important role during the pandemic, some people have reported severe adverse effects and long-term health consequences. Click here to find out more. 

The Jaguar Land Rover diesel particulate filter claims - are being brought on behalf of those who purchased or leased Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles with diesel engines between 2015 and 2023. It is understood that defects in these vehicles have resulted in them being unable to burn off enough soot from the DPF system, leading to it becoming prematurely clogged.

This can lead to issues such as engine damage, greater fuel consumption, more frequent servicing, decreased environmental performance, and vehicles entering ‘limp mode’, resulting in unexpected slowing down and a reduction in value.  

The Claimant Steering Committee, comprised of Leigh Day and Milberg LLP, is managing the group action, with Leigh Day representing more than 20,000 clients. 

Interested in bringing a claim?

Meet the international legal team leading these cases from our Leeds and Manchester offices. 

Sarah and her team were a fantastic support throughout the process. They felt like friends doing the best they could for us in a very challenging situation. Their industry knowledge and insight was incredibly valuable to us, but the key reason things worked so well was they connected with us, as people.

Leeds Office

Sarah Moore

Partner

Leading environment and product safety lawyer

Product safety International

Charlotte Armstrong

Senior associate solicitor

Charlotte is a senior associate solicitor at Leigh Day assisting Sarah Moore in the group claims department.

Corporate accountability

Kah Ho Teh

Associate solicitor

An associate solicitor in the international and group claims department

International Group claims

Manchester Office

Renée Wright

Senior associate solicitor

Renée works in the international and group claims department

Corporate accountability Group claims Environment Forced labour International

Dhiran Solanki

Senior associate solicitor

Dhiran is a senior associate solicitor in Leigh Day’s International & Group Litigation Department.

International Group litigation

Ben West

Associate solicitor

Ben is an associate solicitor in the international and group claims department working on a wide range of cases involving corporate accountability and environmental damage.

International Group claims Human rights Corporate accountability Environmental claims

Contact

bwest@leighday.co.uk

0161 537 1126

Manchester

Leigh Day is a really committed and innovative practice. The quality of both partners and associates in terms of their engagement, experience and expertise is really second to none.

Legal 500, 2026