The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) wants the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to allow trade bodies to undertake 'group class actions’ on behalf of their members.

Alec Murray, RMIF non-executive chairman, will speak at an OFT hearing next month and will urge the need for the rule change.

At present, a named individual member of a UK trade body must instigate legal proceedings within a group action, albeit with the backing and support of other identified members, and of their trade association.

The RMIF believes changing this procedure would bring the UK into line with other countries, including Germany and the USA, and enable UK trade bodies to represent the interests of their members better.

Murray said: “We will use the hearing to explain why trade bodies such as ours should be permitted to bring follow-on and stand-alone actions on behalf of their members.”