Competition Law: Litigation | UK

Freshfields enjoys an excellent reputation for activity across all aspects of competition law. The law firm is highly sought after by international companies from diverse sectors for merger filings before the CMA, with recent experience handling phase II investigations, as well as advising on notifications of foreign direct investment. The London office collaborates with colleagues across the globe to handle multi-jurisdictional merger clearances. The team is also highly regarded for representing clients in CMA investigations into possible breaches of competition law, as well as sector inquiries carried out by a range of authorities. The law firm boasts a strong bench of competition litigators who defend clients in a number of high-profile follow-on damages actions, including collective proceedings.

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.

Linklaters stands out for its experience in major domestic merger control filings that attract considerable objection from competitors and intense scrutiny from the CMA. It works together with colleagues in Brussels and other offices to advise on obtaining clearance for global mergers. The team earns further praise for activity in high-profile follow-on damages claims and for the handling of UK-based private enforcement actions, including defending clients in class action proceedings. The law firm additionally assists clients who are subject to behavioural investigations and advises them on appeals against fines imposed by the CMA. Team members are also well reputed for advising on matters under the UK's new subsidy control regime.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP offers a strong competition law practice, often assisting clients with obtaining regulatory clearance for high-value corporate transactions. In addition to assisting clients with phase II merger reviews before the CMA, the law firm also represents clients in CMA sector inquiries and investigations into possible breaches of competition law before both the CMA and other regulators. Team members are also active in competition litigation, usually defending clients in collective proceedings and follow-on damages actions. The team works closely with the law firm's market-leading practice in Brussels to advise on matters that involve both the UK and EU authorities.

Clifford Chance remains a particularly popular choice for clients from the financial services, telecommunications and technology sectors for competition law matters. The law firm offers market-leading expertise in Phase I and II merger clearance investigations before the CMA, in addition to acting on high-value foreign direct investment filings. The law firm's wider network of offices facilitates the in-house coordination of pan-European or transatlantic merger filings. The team further stands out for its ability to assist clients with CMA investigations into alleged breaches of competition law and market studies. In addition, it represents both claimants and defendants in contentious matters before the CAT, as well as acting on a number of appeals against CMA fines, often in the pharmaceutical sector.

Slaughter and May stands out for its ability to handle high-profile merger clearance mandates, assisting clients with complex reviews before the CMA, as well as acting on highly contentious merger filings that involve disputes around jurisdictional issues. The law firm also offers notable experience in foreign direct investment filings and coordinates wider global regulatory approvals with counsel based in relevant jurisdictions. The team handles behavioural and market investigations for major clients and also boasts notable experience acting on abuse of dominance investigations and stand-alone claims brought in the UK courts. It enjoys a market-leading caseload of follow-on damages and collective proceedings and defending claims filed against various international clients.

Ashurst often assists clients with obtaining clearance from the CMA for mergers at both phase I and II, as well as advising on issues under the National Security and Investment Act. The law firm also advises on behavioural investigations and market inquiries carried out by UK authorities. The team offers further experience in follow-on damages litigation as well as handling high-profile CAT and CJEU appeals against fines. Team members also act for clients on state aid matters under the UK's subsidy control regime.

Macfarlanes assists clients with both contentious and non-contentious competition law matters. The law firm has notable recent experience defending clients in high-profile follow-on damages claims, including class actions, as well as assisting them with challenges to authority decisions. On the non-contentious side, the team has experience in merger reviews before the CMA and in behavioural investigations.

Simmons & Simmons has experience in both contentious and non-contentious competition law matters. The law firm represents clients in damages claims, class actions and complaints of anti-competitive behaviour. The team often assists clients with the notification of mergers to the CMA.

Addleshaw Goddard advises clients on a broad range of competition law matters. The law firm has notable experience in market studies carried out by the CMA and other authorities. In addition it assists clients with obtaining regulatory approval for corporate transactions, including advising on the National Security and Investment Act and merger clearance reviews. Furthermore, the team represents clients in CMA investigations into potential anti-competitive behaviour and disputes related to collective proceedings and damages claims.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has a notable contentious competition law practice, offering experience in stand-alone and follow-on damages actions, representing both the defendants and claimants in high-profile cases. The law firm also acts for clients on investigations conducted by UK regulators into possible breaches of competition law. Team members have experience in merger control and FDI filings.

Hogan Lovells has a broad competition law practice that includes advising clients on merger notifications to the CMA and representing them in investigations into alleged breaches of competition law. The law firm is also active in competition litigation matters, representing defendants in follow-on damages claims and collective actions. Several new hires have enhanced the firm's ability to handle plaintiff side cases.

Norton Rose Fulbright represents clients in behavioural investigations, claims of anti-competitive conduct, follow-on damages actions and collective proceedings, often before the CAT or UK High Court. The team also assists with CMA merger reviews. Clients also benefit from the law firm's broad network of offices to act on multi-jurisdictional matters.

CMS assists clients with the competition aspects of corporate transactions, including obtaining merger clearance and NSIA approval. The law firm also advises on CMA behavioural investigations and assists with subsidy control and compliance issues. The team is also able to represent clients in competition law disputes, often collaborating with members of the firm's litigation department. The London office of CMS often works alongside the law firm's other offices across the UK and globally on competition law matters.

Covington & Burling is involved in a number of large multi-jurisdictional merger clearance mandates, often in cooperation with its offices in the US and Brussels. The team has additional experience advising clients on claims of anti-competitive behaviour and other CMA investigations. Team members also assist clients with foreign direct investment filings and litigation related to damages claims and class actions. It is a popular choice with clients from the pharmaceutical, sporting and technology sectors.

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 further experience handling competition law class actions. 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.

RPC is active on a large body of high-profile, sophisticated mandates. It is particularly experienced in handling collective proceedings before the CAT as well as follow-on damages claims. The team is widely chosen by high-end tech clients in the UK market.

White & Case operates a broad competition law practice, with experience representing clients in merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings, as well as in CMA behavioural investigations and sector inquiries. In addition, the law firm has experience in contentious competition law matters, defending clients in follow-on damages actions and collective proceedings. The team often works closely with the law firm's well-regarded office in Brussels.