Competition Law - UK
What the team is known for
Ashurst often assists clients with obtaining clearance from the CMA for mergers, as well as advising on issues under the National Security and Investment Act. The law firm also advises on behavioural investigations and market inquiries carried out by UK authorities. The team offers further experience in follow-on damages litigation, as well as handling high-profile CAT and CJEU appeals against fines. Team members also act for clients on state aid matters under the UK's new subsidy control regime.
Strengths
"Ashurst undoubtedly has the technical expertise to handle any issues that the company might face."
"The lawyers understand our business really well and this leads into targeted and refined compliance work."
"Everyone at Ashurst delivers the same level of service so you get a coherent quality across offices."
Work highlights
Ashurst represented Ryder System as one of the claimants in the high-profile follow-on damages action against the participants in the trucks cartel.
Notable practitioners
Nigel Parr is well regarded for his ability to handle the competition law aspects of corporate transactions, assisting clients with obtaining consent under the NSIA and advising them on phase I merger clearance reviews before the CMA. He also has a strong focus on representing clients in CMA and FCA market studies, as well as offering notable experience in appeals against authority decisions. He chairs the firm's competition practice. "I continue to be impressed with him, he's incredibly good and measured." "Nigel is incredibly well known and has an excellent reputation."
Anna Morfey joined Ashurst at the beginning of 2023. She has experience acting on claims in the transport, energy and technology sectors, assisting with opt-out collective claims and class actions. "She's one of the standout people in the space."
Duncan Liddell has a broad competition law practice. He often acts for clients on merger clearance mandates, including phase II reviews, in addition to advising them on sector inquiries and investigations into possible anti-competitive behaviour. He has further experience assisting clients with appeals against authority decisions, including before the GCEU. "He has always given very clear advice and his expertise is being able to manage some tricky stakeholders and being compelling in his arguments."
Euan Burrows has a wide-ranging competition law practice that covers advising clients on subsidy control matters and market inquiries. In addition, he acts for claimants on cartel follow-on damages litigation and defends clients in investigations into possible cartel involvement. He is the global co-head of the competition team. "The way he conveys compliance messages to business leaders is memorable and impactful. He's quite good at analogies, leaving people with visual messages."
Neil Cuninghame often assists clients with obtaining clearance for transactions from the CMA and under the NSIA. He has further experience in state aid and subsidy control matters. "He has a really strong merger control practice."