Competition Law | UK Bar

Brick Court Chambers hosts an enviable bench of competition law barristers at all levels of seniority, receiving instructions in the most significant cases of the day. The set is lauded as a "go-to set for high-profile and complex competition disputes", and its individuals act on both sides of major infringement actions involving the CMA or the European Commission, and represent both claimants and defendants in follow-on damages claims. Notably, the barristers have been at the centre of novel attempts to bring large-scale collective actions in the UK courts, through their instruction in cases such as the umbrella interchange proceedings and Gutmann v Apple. Members appeared before the Competition Appeal Tribunal on behalf of both the class representative and the defendant in the McLaren v MOL proceedings, in which the class representative obtained the first ever collective settlement approval order from the CAT. The barristers have also been involved in some of the key FRAND cases of recent years. They act for the CMA, claimants and corporate defendants in the manufacturing, pharmaceutical and financial services sectors.

Tony Burgess and Paul Dennison are the joint senior clerks.

Monckton Chambers is renowned for its superb ability in complex competition law mandates across a breadth of key areas. Commentators state that they "use Monckton to handle the highest-stakes, most complex matters, and they step up to the challenge every time." Members regularly appear before the CAT, the UK appellate courts and the European Court of Justice, representing clients on both sides of infringement decision appeals and follow-on damages claims, as well as a number of high-profile collective action proceedings. The set also stands out for the frequency with which its members represent major parties in disputed merger proceedings. Members further advise key UK public bodies, including acting as standing counsel to regulators, and defending both UK and European competition authorities in disputed cartel investigations. The set has seen members active in many of the leading cases, a key example being acting for both the class representative and the defendant in the Le Patourel v BT opt-out class action proceedings, a £1 billion claim brought on behalf of over 3 million BT customers.

Blackstone's barristers act across an impressive range of competition matters. Benefiting from a strong background in public law, the set is a superb choice for applications for judicial review of the CMA and other UK regulators' decisions. Members, praised for their ability to "navigate the most complex issues with ease and confidence", often act in leading cases in the technology and financial services sectors, including litigation relating to standard-essential patents, alleged market manipulation and abuse of dominance. They have been instructed in the largest follow-on damages actions in both UK and EU courts. They also feature prominently in novel collective action cases, including the McLaren v Kawasaki and Kent v Apple proceedings.

Gary Oliver is head of clerking.

Benefiting from impressive broader public and EU law practices, Matrix Chambers offers expertise across a wide range of competition matters. Members offer significant experience in collective action proceedings, including abuse of dominance collective proceedings against several wastewater companies relating to their alleged misreporting of pollution incidents. Commentators appreciate the set's "huge depth of experience, knowledge and accessible counsel". The barristers are called upon to represent authorities including Ofgem and the CMA in infringement proceedings, appeals and judicial review, and have also been instructed by the European Commission on a number of occasions.

Alison Scanes is senior practice manager.

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.