A landmark £1.5bn lawsuit against property portal Rightmove is set to reach the courts after the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ordered a hearing to determine whether the claim proceeds as a certified collective action.
The lawsuit, backed by thousands of UK estate agents, claims Rightmove's business practices are anti-competitive and have significantly impacted the UK property market.
According to the claimants, Rightmove's dominant position in the market allows it to charge excessive fees to estate agents, stifling competition and limiting consumer choice.
The CAT's decision follows a lengthy process, during which the claimants gathered evidence to support their case.
The outcome of the lawsuit is likely to have significant implications for the UK property market, with potential consequences for Rightmove's business model and consumer prices.
Rightmove has consistently denied the allegations, stating that its fees are transparent and reasonable.