Competition Law - UK
What the team is known for
CMS handles a wide range of merger control, behavioural and state aid mandates. The firm advises on wide-reaching CMA market investigations into the financial services sector and on more targeted investigations into alleged participants in domestic cartels. It demonstrates experience in significant pharmaceutical sector appeals against CMA rulings, including cases that are referred up to the EU courts. CMS further assists with the management of distribution networks and competition compliance matters.
Strengths
"CMS tackled and understood a significant amount of technical industry information in a short space of time."
"The firm responds quickly when they know it is important and will make you feel that you are its only client."
"The team is very good, with an inquisitive approach to understanding the nuances of the client's business."
Work highlights
Advised Dye & Durham on the CMA's merger investigation into its completed acquisition of TM Group.
Notable practitioners
Acting as head of the firm's competition and trade team, Brian Sher focuses on assisting clients with merger clearance procedures and behavioural investigations, as well as the subsequent damages claims. He is equally skilled at advising on appeals against regulators' decisions and enforcement investigations. "Brian is a hard-working, dedicated and conscientious lawyer who leaves no stone unturned on behalf of his clients." "Brian Sher is someone who has the intellectual capacity to deal with very complicated cases and is a real dogged fighter in his cases."