Commercial firm Edwin Coe has become the latest practice to announce preparations to mount a group action challenge over alleged anti-competitive behaviour by European truck manufacturers.

The firm said it has entered into a ‘no win, no fee’ funding arrangement with Affiniti Finance to fund a ’trucks cartel’ claims on behalf of aggrieved clients.

The claims stem from a fine handed down by the European Commission in 2016 after truck manufacturers MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler/Mercedes, Iveco and DAF were found to have operated a cartel stretching back to 1997. Edwin Coe is the fourth firm to take on a challenge.

According to Edwin Coe, any business which purchased, leased or outsourced trucks weighing six tonnes or more between 1997 and 2011 is likely to have overpaid for its vehicles.

Zahira Hussain, senior associate in Edwin Coe’s litigation team, said: ‘We are delighted to be joining forces with Affiniti in relation to the truck cartel claims. We are able to offer our clients a cost and risk free claims process. If the claims are unsuccessful for some reason, our clients will have nothing to pay. Companies that used trucks weighing six tonnes or more between 1997 and 2011 can pursue their claims through us without risk.’

Details of the funding arrangements, including how much Affiniti is putting towards the claim, have not been revealed.

National firm Weightmans is running its own claim on behalf of UK Trucks Claim with Calunius Capital providing funding. Another claim, on behalf of the Road Haulage Association, was filed earlier this year and is being led by Backhouse Jones and Addleshaw Goddard with funding from Therium Capital. Another claim, handled by Collyer Bristow and funded by Vannin Capital, was set up last year.