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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Competition Law

UK Guide 2026 : London (Firms)

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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition Law - London (Firms)

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is highly regarded for its ability to handle contentious competition law matters, often acting for the defendants on high-profile damages claims, including class actions. In addition to its market-leading strength in competition litigation, the law firm also advises clients on all competition law aspects of corporate transactions, assisting with phase II merger clearance investigations, foreign direct investment filings and notifications under the National Security and Investment Act. The team further represents clients in investigations into possible anti-competitive behaviour carried out by the CMA and other authorities. It benefits from long-standing relationships with clients in the technology and transportation sectors.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer represented Meta in a collective action in the CAT, concerning an alleged abuse of a dominant market position by imposing unfair terms on consumers.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has a very engaging team with strong depth and breadth of lawyers.

    Competition Law respondentUK

  • Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is at the forefront of developments in the field.

    Competition Law respondentUK

  • The team is very responsive and adaptable, with a vast wealth of experience allowing it to give pragmatic and business-orientated advice quickly and intelligibly.

    Competition Law respondentUK

  • It is a market-leading competition team.

    Competition Law respondentUK

  • The team is world class in all respects - the quality and sophistication of the advice, its stature in the community and its client service and responsiveness.

    Competition Law respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Kim Dietzel
    Kim Dietzel

    Kim Dietzel

    Kim Dietzel is highly regarded for her work on high-profile follow-on damages actions and collective proceedings, often acting on behalf of defendants in the technology and automotive sectors. She also has experience representing clients in investigations carried out by the CMA and other regulators.

    • She is an incredibly impressive and capable lawyer, who quickly gets up to speed and gives practical, strategic advice which takes into consideration the commercial context in which we operate.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • Kim Dietzel has a superb, deep understanding of competition law and is able to deal with the most complex cases.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • Kim Dietzel is a spectacular attorney and a strong advocate. She has a deep knowledge of her practice and is able to establish credibility and trust from regulators.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • Kim Dietzel is a formidable presence in the competition field, with unrivalled strategic acumen. Having her in your corner ensures an exceptional strategic advantage.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • She is extremely knowledgeable, efficient and able to manage multiple stakeholders effectively and directly. For our most critical competition cases, she is my counsel of choice.

      Competition Law respondentUK
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  • Stephen Wisking
    Stephen Wisking

    Stephen Wisking

    Stephen Wisking stands out for his work defending clients in high-profile collective proceedings and follow-on damages claims, in addition to antitrust investigations initiated by the CMA. He is a popular choice with clients from the technology sector.

    • He is world class in all respects which is highly impressive.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • Stephen Wisking is the leader in the field. Tactically he is excellent and he has a profound knowledge of competition law. He's got the full toolkit.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • Stephen Wisking's depth of experience is like no other in his field. He has a refined strategic approach exemplifying understated excellence.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • He can really reach for a lot of examples and brings a lot of common sense to proceedings.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • He is a leading practitioner in London with an unparalleled understanding of the principles of competition law and an ability to apply these to the most complicated problems.

      Competition Law respondentUK
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  • Helen Fairhead
    Helen Fairhead

    Helen Fairhead

    Helen Fairhead is highly experienced in representing both claimants and defendants in high-stakes litigation. She enters the rankings this year on the back of notable work for TMT sector clients in collective actions, as well as disputes around alleged cartels and abuses of dominance. She joined Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer in May 2026.

    • I really like her. She is very user-friendly and accommodating.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • Helen Fairhead is a great solicitor and is going from strength to strength.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • She is building a name for herself and she's a good speaker.

      Competition Law respondentUK
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  • Veronica Roberts
    Veronica Roberts

    Veronica Roberts

    Veronica Roberts moves up in the rankings on the back of her experience advising clients on merger clearance filings, including representing them in phase II CMA investigations. She has further experience in FDI and National Security and Investment Act notifications. She is a popular choice with clients in the technology and pharmaceutical sectors.

    • Veronica Roberts is very knowledgeable and extremely commercial in her thinking and advice. She made a real effort to understand the market and its complexities.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • Veronica Roberts is very responsive and quick to tune into the issues.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • She is a Phase II national security filings specialist. She is very well respected in particular in that area; she is really is pushing the envelope on that front as a go-to person.

      Competition Law respondentUK
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  • André Pretorius
    André Pretorius

    André Pretorius

    André Pretorius acts for clients on the competition law aspects of transactions, assisting with obtaining phase II merger clearance and approval under the NSIA framework. He also assists clients with CMA and EC investigations into alleged breaches of competition law.

    • André Pretorius is really good to work with. He is able to explain complex concepts concisely while being thorough and helpful.

      Competition Law respondentUK

    • André Pretorius is knowledgeable, articulate, highly responsive and demonstrates very sound judgment.

      Competition Law respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP (6)

London (Firms)

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP has rankings in the following guides

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