LAWYER PROFILE

James Aitken

UK 2026

Freshfields

Ranked in 1 practice area

Competition Law

London (Firms)

12 years ranked

About

Provided by Freshfields

Practice Areas

James leads Freshfields' London antitrust, competition and trade group. He has extensive experience in both contentious and non-contentious antitrust and regulatory matters, particularly article 101/102 investigations and merger control. James appears regularly before the European Commission, the UK Competition Markets Authority and Competition Appeals Tribunal, and other agencies worldwide. He has particular expertise in financial services, technology and media, antitrust and patent law, and regulation of utilities under EU and UK law.

Career

James qualified in 2000, and became a partner in 2011. Référendaire at UK CAT 2004-06.

Professional Memberships

Solicitors' European Group, Norwegian-British Chambers of Commerce.

Publications

Contributing author on Bellamy and Child, 'European Union Law of Competition'.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Competition Law - London (Firms)

Band 1

Individual Editorial

James Aitken moves into the top tier this year on the back of a broad competition law practice that encompasses both merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings, as well as behavioural investigations and market inquiries carried out by the CMA and other regulatory bodies. He has particular experience representing clients from the TMT sector.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

We can rely on him to provide a realistic assessment of risk and his understanding of both UK and EU antitrust regulation makes him stand out from the crowd.
Competition LawChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
James Aitken is a master in the field, he's very experienced with a beautifully clear mind and great strategic sense.
Competition LawChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
James Aitken is brilliant, technically able but also a calm and reassuring presence.
Competition LawChambers Guide to the Legal Profession