Multinational hospitality organisations trading in the UK and EEA now have a time-limited opportunity to recover substantial historic costs following a landmark legal ruling on unlawful card payment fees. With registration closing on 16 January 2026, eligible businesses are being urged to act now to secure their place in a funded legal claim addressing multilateral interchange fees (MIFs) charged on Visa and Mastercard transactions.
Legal Precedent is Clear and Enforceable
In June 2025, the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal confirmed that these interchange fees breached Article 101(1) TFEU, establishing clear and enforceable legal precedent for recovery across both the UK and EEA.
The claim is managed by Hausfeld & Co. LLP, one of Europe’s leading competition litigation firms, with litigation funding provided by Bench Walk Advisors. The structure removes financial risk for participating businesses and enables large-scale hospitality operators to pursue recovery without diverting capital or internal resource.
There are no upfront costs for claimants. All legal expenses are covered by the funder, and ATE insurance protects participants against adverse costs. Successful claimants retain at least 65% of any damages recovered (excluding any applicable VAT).
Eligibility criteria
To qualify, organisations must:
- Operate in the UK and EEA
- Accept Visa or Mastercard payments across both regions
- Have annual card turnover exceeding €50 million (€25 million for charities)
Registration deadline
Registration closes on 16 January 2026.
Hospitality organisations that do not register by this date will not be able to participate in the claim or benefit from any recovery.
REGISTER HERE
