Competition Law | UK

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Latham & Watkins is particularly known for advising on the competition law aspects of corporate transactions, assisting clients with foreign direct investment notifications and with phase II investigations before the CMA. The London office often collaborates with the law firm's highly regarded offices in other jurisdictions to assist with the competition law clearance of multi-jurisdictional mergers. In addition the team has experience in behavioural investigations before the CMA, particularly those involving technology sector clients.

A&O Shearman offers clients notable strength in the competition law aspects of transactions, advising on foreign direct investment and National Security and Investment Act issues, as well as merger clearances. The law firm's broad practice also encompasses behavioural investigations.

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.

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.

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.

Baker McKenzie often assists clients with merger control filings before the CMA and FDI notifications. Clients benefit from the law firm's broad global network for transactions that require filing in multiple jurisdictions. In addition, the law firm acts for clients on behavioural investigations and the competition compliance aspects of distribution agreements. It has a number of clients from the natural resources and media sectors.

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.

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.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher assists clients with obtaining merger clearance for several high-value transactions. The law firm also has experience with foreign direct investment notifications. In addition the team has experience in behavioural matters, including assisting clients with CMA market investigations and defending them against allegations of breaching competition law. It is a popular choice with private equity houses as well as with clients from the technology and media sectors.

Kirkland & Ellis has a strong focus on assisting clients with obtaining competition law clearance for corporate transactions, including advising clients on Phase I merger reviews and on foreign direct investment filings. The law firm is well known for acting for private equity houses on merger control mandates. In addition, the team has experience in behavioural investigations before the CMA.

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.

Pinsent Masons often represents clients in CMA investigations into allegations of possible abuses of dominance or bid-rigging. The law firm also acts on the competition law aspects of corporate transactions, assisting clients with merger clearance reviews and the compliance aspects of collaboration agreements. The team is able to handle matters across the UK and internationally thanks to its network of offices.

Jones Day's London office handles a broad range of competition law matters, including advising clients on obtaining merger clearance approval from the CMA and representing clients in sector studies and investigations into allegations of anti-competitive behaviour before various UK regulatory authorities. Team members offer additional experience in competition litigation matters, often defending high-profile financial sector clients in damages actions. The team has experience acting alongside the law firm's other offices in Europe on multinational matters.

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.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges houses a skilled team that is adept at advising on the merger control and FDI aspects of global corporate transactions, including phase II reviews. The lawyers additionally represent clients in CMA investigations into anti-competitive conduct. It is regularly sought after by clients from the technology, telecommunications and luxury goods sectors, as well as representing private equity houses. The team also maintains close relationships with its US and European antitrust practices to advise on cross-border matters.

Bristows is a popular choice with clients from the technology and pharmaceutical sectors for advice on the full range of competition law matters. The law firm has experience in merger clearance and NSIA filings, as well as in behavioural complaints, appeals against authority decisions and damages actions. The law firm is known for its ability to handle matters that overlap between intellectual property and competition law.

DLA Piper is particularly active in assisting clients with obtaining foreign direct investment approval and merger clearance notifications, including phase I reviews before the CMA. In addition, the law firm acts on behavioural investigations. Team members offer further experience in subsidy control matters. Clients benefit from the team's ability to work together with colleagues based in the firm's many offices around the globe.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison enters the rankings this year on the back of advising clients on strategically important phase I and II CMA merger investigations as well as foreign direct investment issues. The team further includes experts on behavioural matters and risk management strategies. Its global presence additionally enhances the firm's cross-border capabilities.

Sidley Austin often acts for clients on foreign direct investment filings and merger clearance reviews before the CMA, representing both the transacting parties and interested third parties. The team also assists clients with market inquiries before various UK regulatory authorities. The law firm further advises on competition compliance matters such as licensing agreements. The team in London often collaborates with the firm's Brussels office.

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.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher has a prominent team in competition litigation, with experience representing both claimants and defendants in high-profile follow-on damages actions and collective proceedings. The law firm also represents clients in CMA investigations into possible anti-competitive conduct and advises on merger clearance reviews, including merger arbitrage. The team further assists clients with competition law compliance.