UK High Court blocks appeal in major diesel emissions lawsuits
Judge Sara Cockerill denied the claimants' request to appeal a ruling that most of the alleged defeat-device claims against 20 vehicles were unfounded.
The High Court had previously dismissed the majority of allegations that 20 sample cars from Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Nissan, Renault and Stellantis-owned Peugeot and Citroë used illegal defeat devices. After a trial that began in October 2025 and involved about 1.6 million claimants, Judge Sara Cockerill refused permission to appeal the decision. She instructed the claimants to seek leave directly from the Court of Appeal if they wish to continue.
Why it matters
The ruling limits further legal challenges to major diesel emissions claims, shaping future automotive litigation in the UK.
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