The High Court in Belfast is set to hear a compensation claim against nine car dealerships in connection with the diesel emissions scandal next week, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

Edwards & Co. Solicitors has launched a claim on behalf of more than 500 claimants, which it is seeking to have designated as a group action.

However, the case may be postponed pending the outcome of a similar action in England and Wales involving as many as 60,000 claimants.

Partner Dorcas Crawford said: “The claim for compensation alleges that the defendants made misrepresentations to buyers about the quality and fitness of the vehicles. Essentially we wish to hold them to account for knowingly distributing and selling cars which didn’t meet the standards described to their customers.

“At present over 500 claimants in Northern Ireland have registered details of their affected vehicle with our firm.

“We have applied to the court for an order designating the claim as a ‘group action’. We have also applied for the proceedings to be stayed pending the outcome of a similar claim being brought on behalf of 60,000 claimants in England and Wales against the same defendants.

“This course of action has been taken specifically to constrain the costs each individual claimant may incur whilst maximising the potential compensation payable to them.”