Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property Industry Eye. Read the original article for full details.

Rightmove Responds as £1.5bn Legal Action Court Date Confirmed

Rightmove has issued a response after the Competition Appeal Tribunal confirmed the first court dates in a proposed £1.5 billion legal action brought on behalf of thousands of estate agents and housebuilders across the UK. The claim alleges that Rightmove abused its dominant position in the online property portal market by charging excessive and unfair subscription fees.

The legal action is led by Jeremy Newman, a former Competition and Markets Authority panel member. The tribunal has scheduled a key hearing for 2-3 November 2026, when judges will decide whether to grant a Collective Proceedings Order. This decision would formally certify the case and allow it to move towards a full trial.

Rightmove has been ordered to submit its defence by 29 July, while Jeremy Newman must file his response by 25 September. The legal action seeks an estimated £1.5 billion in damages and covers estate agents and new home developers who paid subscription fees to Rightmove between April 2020 and April 2026.

A Rightmove spokesperson stated that the company is confident in the value it provides to partners and consumers, and described the claim as "without merit," confirming that Rightmove will defend it vigorously.

This case is expected to be one of the most significant legal disputes in the property industry in recent years, with implications for portal pricing, competition, and the relationship between agents and major property platforms.