Department profile
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Competition Law

Global Guide 2026 : UK

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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition Law - UK

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP offers a strong competition law practice, often assisting clients with obtaining regulatory clearance for high-value corporate transactions. In addition to assisting clients with phase II merger reviews before the CMA, the law firm also represents clients in CMA sector inquiries and investigations into possible breaches of competition law before both the CMA and other regulators. Team members are also active in competition litigation, usually defending clients in collective proceedings and follow-on damages actions. The team works closely with the law firm's market-leading practice in Brussels to advise on matters that involve both the UK and EU authorities.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton represented Synopsys in both a CMA investigation and in global FDI filings in connection with the client's acquisition of Ansys.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Cleary Gottlieb provided excellent strategic advice to the client on all key calls, and was appropriately challenging and supportive of experts while always being friendly and pleasant to deal with.

    Competition Law respondentGlobal

  • Cleary Gottlieb has exceptionally skilled competition lawyers who excel at identifying opportunities within challenges to achieve the best possible outcomes.

    Competition Law respondentGlobal

  • Cleary Gottlieb has the ability to tap into a broader global practice combined with a talented bench in the UK, which is very impressive.

    Competition Law respondentGlobal

  • The team consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to understanding the client's unique needs and delivering tailored solutions while ensuring responsiveness and proactive communication.

    Competition Law respondentGlobal

  • The Cleary team's knowledge and experience in the regulatory realm makes it one of a limited number of go-to firms in this highly specialised area.

    Competition Law respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Jackie Holland
    Jackie Holland

    Jackie Holland

    Jackie Holland moves up in the rankings on the back of her notable activity in obtaining competition law clearance for high-value corporate transactions, and also frequently representing technology sector clients in CMA investigations.

    • She is always very business oriented, and is able to advise on the spot without showing any pressure. She knows how to read the regulators and knows where to push.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal

    • Jackie Holland is an excellent lawyer with sound judgment and a strategic business sense.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal

    • Jackie Holland has a lot of experience, including at the CMA which is invaluable. She is very good on procedural points with the CMA.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal

    • Jackie Holland is an outstanding lawyer who guided us through the CMA processes with skill and aplomb.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal
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  • Nicholas Levy
    Nicholas Levy

    Nicholas Levy

    Nicholas Levy splits his time between the law firm's offices in Brussels and London. He has particular experience in phase II merger clearance mandates before the CMA. He further has experience representing clients before the European courts in behavioural investigations.

    • Nicholas Levy is quite senior and very shrewd. He brings a lot of experience to a team.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal

    • Nicholas Levy is the best merger control lawyer in the world.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal
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  • Paul Stuart
    Paul Stuart

    Paul Stuart

    Paul Stuart has recent experience defending high-profile clients from the automotive and TMT sectors in prominent follow-on damages claims and class actions. He often appears before the CAT but has further experience representing clients in appeals before the CJEU and GCEU. He moves up in the rankings this year on the back of impressive feedback.

    • Paul Stuart is a star litigator with excellent commercial and tactical judgement. He is very clever and delivers results.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal

    • Paul Stuart has a great grasp of details with a strong strategic vision and is skilled in negotiations, all whilst being very easy to work with.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal

    • Paul Stuart is a delight to work with. He is extremely intelligent and has a deep knowledge of competition law.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal

    • He has a real commitment to the case and works out the optimal lines of attack. He's not afraid to identify and jettison the weak points and is always confident and convincing.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal

    • Paul Stuart is excellent. He is exceedingly clever, a very sharp lawyer and a clever negotiator with an amazing grasp of the details, whilst also remaining practical and pragmatic.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal
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  • Paul Gilbert
    Paul Gilbert

    Paul Gilbert

    Paul Gilbert often assists clients with the merger clearance and FDI aspects of high-value transactions, as well as advising on CMA behavioural investigations.

    • Paul Gilbert is a true trusted advisor. I value his advice and strategic thinking immensely.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal

    • Paul Gilbert is a fantastic lawyer. He is very smart and concentrated on the key details.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal

    • Paul Gilbert consistently delivers an exceptional level of client service, demonstrating a proactive, solution-oriented approach.

      Competition Law respondentGlobal
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  • Romano Subiotto
    Romano Subiotto

    Romano Subiotto

    Romano Subiotto KC is highly experienced in competition litigation, frequently representing clients in appeals before the CJEU and the UK authorities. He advises on complex investigations in the financial services, pharmaceutical and fashion industries. He is admitted to the Bar in England & Wales and divides his time between the firm's offices in Brussels and London.
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Ranked Individuals at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (5)

UK

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has rankings in the following guides

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