The case can now proceed to trial, with thousands of businesses poised to receive compensation for the loss in revenue suffered as a result of Google’s alleged conduct if the claim is successful.

The decision is the latest in a series of setbacks for the tech giant and follows significant scrutiny of its Play Store conduct around the world, including by the European Commission, the UK’s competition watchdog and the US courts.

The legal claim, brought by leading competition law academic Professor Barry Rodger, accuses Google of abusing its dominant position to the detriment of thousands of UK businesses who sold apps on the Play Store (or ‘Google Play’) to Android customers. 

The lawsuit seeks compensation for the losses in revenue suffered by those businesses, many of whom are SMEs, from August 2018 onwards.

The CAT has now published a collective proceedings order, confirming its decision to certify the claim, authorising Professor Rodger to act as the class representative and permitting the claim to proceed to trial. The trial is set to commence in October 2026.

Professor Rodger said: “The tribunal’s decision is a significant step towards ensuring redress for small businesses in the UK that have lost money through Google’s conduct. Google abuses its Play Store monopoly by imposing excessive commissions, harming small business app developers and stifling crucial innovation and growth in the UK tech landscape.”