About

Provided by Eversheds Sutherland

Over the past year, our UK competition team has achieved exceptional growth, advising household-name clients and securing high-profile mandates. We are recognised as one of the UK’s strongest full-service competition practices, handling cutting-edge, complex matters across all areas of competition law.

Highlights include advising on major cartel investigations, market reviews in veterinary services and groceries, and merger control cases - representing 25% of the CMA’s Phase 1 remedies last year. We’ve led on the UK’s new digital markets regime under the DMCC Act, secured conditional FDI clearance for a strategic Chinese investment, and defended clients in a £1bn collective action in the motor finance sector.

Our global reach spans 100+ lawyers across Europe, the US, Asia, and Africa, enabling seamless support on cross-border matters. We maintain strong relationships with regulators including the CMA, FCA, and ISU, co-hosting events and providing direct feedback on policy changes.

Clients consistently praise our responsiveness, commercial insight, and deep engagement - many relationships span decades. We are proud of our reputation for delivering strategic, high-impact advice with exceptional service.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition Law - UK

4
Band 4

What the Team is Known For

Eversheds Sutherland has a broad competition law practice that encompasses advising clients on CMA merger reviews and FDI filings, as well as defending them in investigations into possible breaches of competition law. The law firm has a number of clients from the retail and transportation sectors. The team also assists with competition compliance matters, including advising on distribution strategies. It is able to leverage competition law experts based both in London and in Leeds to serve clients across the UK.

Work Highlights

  • Eversheds Sutherland advised Sepura and Epiris on an Ofcom competition law infringement investigation and potential follow-on damages litigation.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Peter Harper
4
Peter Harper
Head of Competition Law
4
Band 4

Peter Harper often assists clients with merger clearance mandates, including advising on phase I and II reviews before the CMA. He also acts on competition compliance matters.

When you speak to him, there will be nothing he has not thought through. He is very thorough and knowledgeable.

Peter Harper has been great, providing realistic and pragmatic advice throughout the process.

He combines a wealth of expert knowledge with very strong technical ability and an understanding of commercial issues.

He has an almost unique level of experience and a really client-focused way of dealing with matters.

Peter Harper is supportive and has a calm presence. He gives considered advice and understands his clients and their businesses well.

Julia Woodward-Carlton
5
Julia Woodward-Carlton
5
Band 5

Julia Woodward-Carlton's recent work includes representing clients in CMA investigations into alleged cartels and into complicated merger clearance reviews. She also advises clients on sector inquiries before UK regulators.

Julia Woodward-Carlton is a pleasure to work with. She offers pragmatic advice in a calm and considered manner.

Julia Woodward-Carlton has vast knowledge and is excellent at understanding the problem and advising on the best course of action.

She is very knowledgeable and easy to work with.

Julia Woodward-Carlton is an excellent competition lawyer.

Julia Woodward-Carlton is really thoughtful about what clients really need and very intelligent about how she approaches a problem. I really admire her intelligence.

Ranked Lawyers at
Eversheds Sutherland

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

UK

Competition Law

Peter Harper
4
Peter Harper
Head of Competition Law
4
Band 4
Julia Woodward-Carlton
5
Julia Woodward-Carlton
5
Band 5

Members

Provided by Eversheds Sutherland

Claire Morgan

Elizabeth Coleman

James Lindop

Head of Department

Jessica Martin

Peter Harper

Peter Harper

Head of Department

Clients

Provided by Eversheds Sutherland

Finance firms

Global manufacturers

Housing providers

Industries

Provided by Eversheds Sutherland

Automotive

Construction

Digital markets

Finance

Groceries

Housing

National security

Retirement living

Veterinary