Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition Law - London (Bar)

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

One Essex Court brings its members' formidable expertise in commercial litigation to bear in some of the largest competition litigation in the English courts. The barristers represent defendants and claimants in follow-on damages cases, regulatory challenges and distribution disputes. Commentators appreciate the set's "high-calibre individuals, with their blend of competition law and commercial expertise". The set is active before courts and tribunals at all levels, from the CAT to the Supreme Court. Members have taken key roles in major cases such as the Ad Tech Collective Action proceedings and the Commercial and Interregional Card Claims against Mastercard, Visa and others.

Darren Burrows is senior clerk.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

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Derek Spitz
1
Derek Spitz
1
Band 1

Derek Spitz advises claimants and defendants on private actions for competition law damages, particularly those arising from cartels. Spitz also assists clients with abuse of dominance cases. Spitz has recently acted on the claimant side of several high-value collective action proceedings against financial services companies.

He's delightful to work with and a very good cross-examiner. He's very calm in court and he does the prep. He's a real asset to have on the team.

He is great - really clever and very measured, with a nice advocacy style. His cross-examination is brilliant; he has a silent assassin approach.

He's very good at competition law. He has impeccable judgement and chooses shots well. He's the full package, really.

Conall Patton
2
Conall Patton
2
Band 2

Conall Patton KC is a talented competition barrister who has tended to defend corporates in standalone claims and collective actions. His work typically concerns abuse of dominance claims, including those with elements of IP infringement or fraud.

Conall is an excellent commercial competition silk. He has superb delivery and an ability to manage clients and complex strategic situations.

He has sublime advocacy, putting our case forward and bringing the judges with him on the arguments that need to be made. His skills of persuasion are quite remarkable.

2
Matthew Cook
2
Band 2

Matthew Cook KC is well known for his work defending key financial services clients in high-value commercial damages actions. He has experience of opposing collective proceedings order applications to the CAT and defending follow-on damages cases.

He is forensic, meticulous and very effective. He has a lot of credibility with the tribunal given his knowledge and experience on the case.

Matthew has deep knowledge and experience of complex antitrust litigation, which comes through in spades in his carefully crafted submissions. His advocacy is well prepared, thoughtful and thorough.

He has encyclopedic knowledge of the facts, he's all over everything.

3
Owain Draper
3
Band 3

Owain Draper has a wide-ranging competition law practice that spans acting for claimants and defendants on cartel damages claims, the appeal of regulatory decisions and representing clients in abuse of dominance cases.

He's a real competition and trial lawyer all in one - a rare commodity. He has all the attributes to make a very successful silk.

He's the person who you want in your corner when it comes to competition issues.

Owain's advocacy has really impressed me. He builds an impressive rapport with the tribunal, carefully crafting points to ensure they are well received.

He gains a lot of respect from the judges for his considered tone and for building good rapport. He makes hard-hitting points when you need him and has good judgement.

Sonia Tolaney
3
Sonia Tolaney
3
Band 3

Sonia Tolaney KC is joint head of chambers of One Essex Court. She frequently acts in some of the most high-profile competition cases, many of which are closely related to her celebrated commercial practice. Tolaney often acts for financial institutions and banks. Notably, she plays an integral role acting for Mastercard in the ongoing dispute with Merricks.

She is a very clear communicator and a very persuasive advocate. She has a really strong reputation that she's able to use to get results.

Sonia has incredible gravitas in the courtroom. She knows how to make a point lightly, with real authority, using the fewest words necessary for it to hit home with the court.

She's a leading light at the Bar, you can absolutely see why. She is a really terrific advocate. She has the respect of the judges and is superb to deal with.

Ben Lewy
U
Ben Lewy
U
Up and Coming

Ben Lewy has an impressive competition practice, regularly acting in high-profile collective action proceedings, follow-on claims and abuse of dominance. His competition expertise is enhanced by his qualification as a trained economist.

Ben is able, efficient, personable, clever and collaborative.

He has shown a real ability as a junior to get across the detail and have a good set of technical skills. He is a key member of the team.

U
Greg Adey
U
Up and Coming

Greg Adey boasts a broad competition law practice that spans both contentious and non-contentious matters, representing several notable clients including class representatives in several high-profile collective proceedings.

He's super impressive. He's clever but combines it with good sense. He is a practical thinker.

He's really excellent and very hard-working. He is extremely clever, he has an economics background and he drafts really beautifully.

He is really at home in the technical space. He's very bright and confident in putting his point of view across. He is quickly and quietly gaining a strong reputation in the competition area.

Greg has an IP background but is establishing himself as go-to lawyer in the competition space.

He has a fine grasp of numbers and has fine judgement so can handle complex data. A great numbers guy and a good economist. Give him a spreadsheet and he is away!

Ranked Barristers at
One Essex Court

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Competition Law

Conall Patton KC
2
Conall Patton KC
2
Band 2
2
Matthew Cook KC
2
Band 2
Sonia Tolaney KC
3
Sonia Tolaney KC
3
Band 3

Juniors

London (Bar)

Competition Law

Derek Spitz
1
Derek Spitz
1
Band 1
3
Owain Draper
3
Band 3
Ben Lewy
U
Ben Lewy
U
Up and Coming
U
Greg Adey
U
Up and Coming