The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care & Ors v Lundbeck Limited & Ors

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care & Ors v Lundbeck Limited & Ors

Filing a Claim Form in the CAT constitutes making a claim under section 47A CA 1998 and CAT Rules, engaging the CAT’s limitation period regardless of prior High Court proceedings. The Transfer Order did not contractually estop claimants from relying on CAT limitation periods, as accrued rights referred only to the High Court claim. The claim against the 12th defendant, not party to the High Court proceedings, was validly made within time under CAT Rules.

Parties
Claimant / Respondent: The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care; Claimant / Respondent: The National Health Services Business Services Authority; Claimant / Respondent: The Welsh Ministers; Claimant / Respondent: Swansea Bay University Health Board; Claimant / Respondent: Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board; Claimant / Respondent: Aneurin Bevan University Health Board; Claimant / Respondent: Hywel Dda University Health Board; Claimant / Respondent: Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board; Claimant / Respondent: Powys Teaching Health Board; Claimant / Respondent: Cardiff & Vale University Health Board; Defendant / Appellant: Lundbeck Limited; Defendant / Appellant: H. Lundbeck A/S; Defendant / Appellant: Generics (U. K.) Limited; Defendant / Appellant: Merck KGaA; Defendant / Appellant: Arrow Generics Limited; Defendant / Appellant: Arrow Group ApS; Defendant / Appellant: Resolution Chemicals Limited; Defendant / Appellant: Xellia Pharmaceuticals ApS; Defendant / Appellant: Alpharma LLC; Defendant / Appellant: A. L. Industrier AS; Defendant / Appellant: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited; Defendant / Appellant: Sun Pharma UK Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 May 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment on Appeal From Competition Appeal Tribunal
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Limitation of Actions, Follow on Actions, Contractual Estoppel, Transfer of Proceedings, EU Competition Law, Statutory Interpretation
Competition Law Civil Procedure Limitation of Actions Follow on Actions Contractual Estoppel Transfer of Proceedings EU Competition Law Statutory Interpretation

Case Brief

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Parties

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Claimant / Respondent

The National Health Services Business Services Authority

Claimant / Respondent

The Welsh Ministers

Claimant / Respondent

Swansea Bay University Health Board

Claimant / Respondent

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Claimant / Respondent

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Claimant / Respondent

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Claimant / Respondent

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Claimant / Respondent

Powys Teaching Health Board

Claimant / Respondent

Cardiff & Vale University Health Board

Claimant / Respondent

Lundbeck Limited

Defendant / Appellant

H. Lundbeck A/S

Defendant / Appellant

Generics (U. K.) Limited

Defendant / Appellant

Merck KGaA

Defendant / Appellant

Arrow Generics Limited

Defendant / Appellant

Arrow Group ApS

Defendant / Appellant

Resolution Chemicals Limited

Defendant / Appellant

Xellia Pharmaceuticals ApS

Defendant / Appellant

Alpharma LLC

Defendant / Appellant

A. L. Industrier AS

Defendant / Appellant

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited

Defendant / Appellant

Sun Pharma UK Limited

Defendant / Appellant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment on Appeal From Competition Appeal Tribunal

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether limitation period under CAT Rules or Limitation Act 1980 applies to transferred proceedings
  2. 2 Whether contractual estoppel prevents claimants from relying on CAT limitation period
  3. 3 Whether claim against newly joined defendant is valid under CAT Rules

Ratio Decidendi

Filing a Claim Form in the CAT constitutes making a claim under section 47A CA 1998 and CAT Rules, engaging the CAT’s limitation period regardless of prior High Court proceedings. The Transfer Order did not contractually estop claimants from relying on CAT limitation periods, as accrued rights referred only to the High Court claim. The claim against the 12th defendant, not party to the High Court proceedings, was validly made within time under CAT Rules.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Claimants’ claim in the CAT is not time-barred and may proceed.
  • Contractual estoppel argument rejected.