About Us
Proposed Class Representative
About Vicki Shotbolt
Vicki is a leading campaigner for children’s digital rights, with over 20 years of senior leadership experience in national charities. She is the founder and CEO of Parent Zone, an organisation that works with families and global brands to improve the lives of children in today’s digital world.
She also chairs FairFun, a charity that runs events for disabled children, and sits on the executive board of the UK Council on Child Internet Safety. Previously, Vicki was the Deputy CEO at the National Family and Parenting Institute, and has written on subjects including marketing directly to children and service families.
Vicki is seeking permission to bring this claim against Valve Corporation, through Vicki Shotbolt Class Representative Limited, a company created specifically to represent affected UK consumers. She believes Steam users have been treated unfairly and may be owed compensation.
As someone who understands the value and enjoyment that gaming brings to people of all ages, Vicki is not trying to shut down Steam or stop anyone from gaming. Her goal is to ensure that Steam operates fairly and does not misuse its market power to overcharge consumers. This matters especially because UK gamers spend large amounts on PC-games and add-on content, much of which is designed to encourage impulsive spending – something from which Valve profits.
Importantly, Vicki will not profit from bringing the claim.
The Lawyers
Milberg London LLP
Vicki Shotbolt is represented by Milberg London LLP, a leading UK law firm specialising in group legal actions. This is Milberg London’s second major competition claim in the gaming sector – the first being a £5 billion claim against Sony Playstation over alleged abuse of market dominance.
The legal team is led by Natasha Pearman, a highly regarded competition lawyer who previously led the landmark Justin Le Patourel v BT case, which was the second collective action to be certified by the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Natasha has played a key role in shaping the UK’s collective actions regime.
Milberg London has also instructed top competition law barristers Robert Palmer KC, Julian Gregory and Will Perry of Monckton Chambers to support the case.
