Merchant Interchange Fee Umbrella Proceedings [2026] CAT 42 (06 May 2026)
The Tribunal found that MasterCard's multilateral interchange fee arrangements constituted a restriction of competition by effect, and that merchants suffered loss as a result, entitling them to damages.
- Citation
- [2026] CAT 42
- Parties
- Applicant: Various Merchants; Respondent: MasterCard Incorporated
- Jurisdiction
- United Kingdom
- Judgment Date
- 06 May 2026
- Procedural Posture
- Competition Appeal / Final Judgment
- Outcome
- Judgment for the applicants
- Legal Topics
- Interchange Fees, Antitrust, Collective Proceedings
Case Brief
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 2 Authorities cited 4 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Parties
Various Merchants
Applicant
MasterCard Incorporated
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Competition Appeal / Final Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether MasterCard's setting of multilateral interchange fees constituted a restriction of competition under UK and EU law
- 2 Whether merchants are entitled to damages for overcharges resulting from the interchange fee arrangements
Ratio Decidendi
The Tribunal found that MasterCard's multilateral interchange fee arrangements constituted a restriction of competition by effect, and that merchants suffered loss as a result, entitling them to damages.
Court Disposition
Judgment for the applicants
Orders
- MasterCard to pay damages to the applicant class
- Parties to agree quantum or return to Tribunal for assessment
Full Case Text
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