Small Claims - "class actions"

[MrCake]

We are one of about 20 people who have been thrown out of a tutoring programme run by an individual for allegedly not following directions in our signed contract. We have been told that, as per the contract, we will not get our deposits back.

We are attemting to reason with the provider to get our money back. If that doesn't work we are considering using the on-line small claims process. Given that there are potentially 20 people who could make exactly the same claim, is there a mechanism by which the court can considered all of them together?

Thanks
Mr C

[johnhemming]

My guess and it is an unresearched guess, is that you would all have to make separate applications that could be considered together. Depending upon the liquidity of the defendant and whether the defendant is a limited company if one of you makes an application to the small claims court that may encourage the defendant to see the writing on the wall.