{
  "id": 10437465,
  "title": "Claimant law firms seek appeal in Diesel emissions legal battle",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/claimant-law-firms-seek-appeal-in-diesel-emissions-legal-battle",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-28T12:00:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/claimant-law-firms-seek-appeal-in-diesel-emissions-legal-battle/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A coalition of major car manufacturers, including Mercedes, Ford, Renault, and Nissan, may be compelled to return to the High Court to contest allegations that they implemented devices to manipulate diesel emissions tests. The case, dubbed 'Dieselgate', was initially ruled in favor of the automakers by the High Court in July, but now a group of claimants, representing over a million motorists, have announced their intention to appeal the legal verdict. The trial, which took place in October 2025, brought charges against the 20 leading carmakers for allegedly installing software in their vehicles' emissions control systems from 2009 to reduce the effectiveness of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions during testing. However, it is claimed that when these vehicles were driven on the road, they emitted significantly higher levels of pollutants, posing environmental and health risks. Out of the 20 vehicles, only three were found to contain the prohibited defeat devices (PDD) manufactured by Mercedes and Peugeot-Citroën. Lady Justice Cockerill concluded that the remaining 17 vehicles had devices that did not violate emissions regulations, stating, \"in the majority of instances, the court found that the relevant strategy did not constitute a prohibited defeat device.\" Claimant firms, represented by Leigh Day and Pogust Goodhead, are set to challenge the judge's interpretation of the emissions regulation and the device. Leigh Day's senior partner, Martyn Day, stated that their appeal will argue that the judge applied a too restrictive definition of what constitutes a Prohibited Defeat Device, warranting a reevaluation of certain technical evidence. Mercedes expressed its intent to vigorously defend itself against the claims, asserting that the emission control software functionalities in question are justified from a technical and legal standpoint. Mercedes, Peugeot/Citroen (owned by Stellantis), Ford, Renault, and Nissan were reached for comment on the matter.",
  "summary": "A group of car manufacturing giants may be forced back to the High Court to defend allegations that they installed devices to curb diesel emissions tests. In the case nicknamed ‘Dieselgate’, the High Court handed down a judgment in July ruling in favour of the carmakers, but claimants, over a million motorists, a law firm [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}