Apple and Amazon £899m compensation claim: key hearing set for June 2026
Millions of UK consumers could be included in a legal claim against Apple and Amazon as the case reaches a key certification hearing this summer.
A £899 million collective action has been brought against Apple and Amazon over allegations that the two tech giants struck a secret deal to keep Apple prices artificially high. The case will reach a crucial stage on 30 June 2026, when the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London decides whether it can proceed.
If approved, the claim could cover millions of UK consumers who bought Apple or Beats products between 31 October 2018 and 15 December 2025 – with most consumers automatically included unless they choose to opt out.
The case is being brought by Justin Le Patourel, a former Ofcom consumer policy lead, through JLP A&A Class Representative Limited. Ahead of the hearing, Le Patourel said:
“Millions of people rely on Apple and Amazon for everyday tech. They expect genuine competition on price and choice, not arrangements that may have left them paying more. This hearing will decide whether the case can go ahead.”
Consumer who may be affected do not need to take action at this stage. Sign up to Consumer Voice to stay updated on this claim and other cases where UK consumers could be owed compensation.
What have Apple and Amazon done wrong?
The claim centres on an agreement struck between Apple and Amazon in 2018. It alleges the deal breached UK competition law by restricting independent retailers from selling Apple products on Amazon’s marketplace – particularly at discounted prices.
By early 2019, almost all independent sellers of Apple products had disappeared from the platform. With fewer sellers competing on price, discounts largely vanished, leaving consumers paying more whether they bought from Amazon, Apple itself or other retailers.
In return, Apple is alleged to have given Amazon preferential wholesale pricing. The claim argues this arrangement reduced competition across the market and kept prices artificially high..
Le Patourel added: “People don’t expect the companies they rely on for their tech products to have been secretly colluding to make them pay more and reduce their choice. Big businesses should compete fairly, not strike secret deals that leave customers out of pocket.”
Who is bringing the claim?
Justin Le Patourel is represented by competition law firm Hausfeld & Co. LLP. The case was filed in December 2025 and is funded by litigation funder Asertis, meaning the people affected face no financial risk.
The certification hearing on 30 June 2026 will assess whether Justin Le Patourel should be authorised to act on behalf of affected consumers and whether the claim is suitable to proceed as collective proceedings. This is a necessary step before the case can start moving to a full trial.
Who is eligible for compensation?
You may be eligible if you bought a new Apple product between 31 October 2018 and 15 December 2025 may be entitled to compensation.
The claim covers all Apple electronic products including iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, AirPods and Beats headphones, as well as accessories such as chargers and keyboards. Purchases made as part of mobile phone contracts are not included.
More than 10 million Amazon customers are expected fall within the claim. It also covers people who bought Apple products from other retailers including Apple Stores and Currys.
If the claim is certified, affected UK-based consumers will be automatically included (unless they opt out). Non-UK consumers will need to opt in to participate. Deadlines for this will be set by the Tribunal if the claim is approved.
Amazon says the claim is without merit
An spokesperson from Amazon has previously told Consumer Voice that the agreement was never secret and brought greater supply of popular Apple products to Amazon.co.uk:
“We’re confident that it will become clear through the legal process again that there is no justification for this claim.
“The agreement we made with Apple in 2018 was publicly announced and pro-competitive. Prior to that, we did not have a reliable supply of Apple products, and as a result of the agreement customers are able to find the latest and best-selling Apple and Beats products, including new iPhones and AirPods from their launch date.
“This created greater choice with better deals and faster shipping, increasing competition and improving consumer experience.”
Regulatory investigations into Apple and Amazon
The deal between Apple and Amazon covered several countries. Competition authorities in Italy and Spain have already found that similar agreements breached EU competition law. A class action has also been filed in the United States, and regulators in Germany have investigated Amazon’s conduct more broadly.
A historic win for UK Apple customers
Apple and Amazon are also facing other major consumer lawsuits in the UK.
Last year saw a major victory for UK consumers in a separate case against Apple’s App Store practices.
In October 2025, the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled in favour of Dr Rachael Kent, finding Apple had unlawfully charged excessive fees on apps and in-app purchases. Apple is current appealing the decision, which could see up to £1.5 billion returned to consumers and businesses who used the App Store.
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