About

Provided by Shoosmiths LLP

Our experienced team of specialist competition lawyers advises domestic and international clients from its UK and Brussels offices

We work closely with our clients to help them on day-to-day competition compliance queries, designing competition compliance policies (including through the provision of e-learning), offering genuinely engaging competition law and dawn raid training, and carrying out audits of data to assess latent competition law exposure.


We also have considerable experience supporting our clients in investigations by the CMA and other competition regulators (such as the FCA and the European Commission), as well as guiding them through the merger control and other regulatory clearance aspects of corporate transaction.


Whether we are helping businesses ensure they comply with competition law – for example, through in-person training, e-learning or written advice and guidance – or guiding businesses in relation to conduct under scrutiny before the courts or competition authorities, we work with them closely to ensure we understand their business and the markets in which they operate.


We routinely work with colleagues that are specialised in particular practice areas and sectors, to ensure a holistic approach. Our advice on EU law, meanwhile, is provided by EU qualified lawyers ensuring that you get the benefit of legal privilege for any advice given on sensitive matters.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Competition Law - The Regions
3
Band 3
What the Team is Known For

Shoosmiths' competition team is active on matters for clients in the automotive and retail sectors, as well as for investment firms. Based in Reading, it advises on merger control, state aid and subsidy control rules for project funding and National Security and Investment Act 2021 filings. Its lawyers also have experience supporting client engagement with the CMA, including for market studies.

Work Highlights

Provided by Shoosmiths LLP
  • Shoosmiths advised Mercedes-Benz UK on the competition law aspects of a major restructuring of its distribution model, enabling it to comply with CMA guidelines.

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Simon Barnes
2
Simon Barnes
2
Band 2

Simon Barnes is the head of competition at Shoosmiths. He advises on a range of matters including merger clearance, subsidy control compliance and CMA market investigations. He acts for automotive clients, property developers and investment firms.

"He is an excellent lawyer. He is extremely responsive and a go-to for any competition law matters."

"He has a real gift for making the complex simple and he always gives you an achievable solution that is very pragmatic. He is a great communicator who does not sit on the fence."

Ranked Lawyers at
Shoosmiths LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

The Regions

Competition Law

Simon Barnes
2
Simon Barnes
2
Band 2

Members

Provided by Shoosmiths LLP

Angela Gregson

Kiran Desai

Clients

Provided by Shoosmiths LLP

Ageas Insurance

Asahi

BAT UK & Ireland

Experian

Mercedes-Benz