Competition Law | Europe

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. It also offers experience in advising on state aid matters.

Linklaters stands out for its experience in major domestic merger control filings that attract considerable objection from competitors and intense scrutiny from the CMA. 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. It works together with colleagues in Brussels and other offices to advise on obtaining clearance for global mergers. The law firm additionally assists clients who are subject to behavioural investigations and advises them on appeals against fines imposed by the CMA. The team also has experience 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 phase I and II 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. It also maintains a strong subsidy control practice, often assisting the providers of the subsidy.

Following its merger, A&O Shearman benefits from an increased bench in the field of competition law. The team 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 phase I and II merger clearances. The law firm's broad practice also encompasses behavioural investigations and subsidy control matters. The team also has experience in contentious competition law matters and has also assisted clients with issues arising from cooperation between companies on sustainability grounds.

Ashurst often assists clients with obtaining clearance from the CMA for mergers, 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 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.

Herbert Smith Freehills is well 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 strength in competition litigation, the law firm also advises clients on all competition law aspects of corporate transactions, assisting with 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.

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. Team members have further experience handling mandates under the new UK subsidy control regime.

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 and subsequent disputes.

Norton Rose Fulbright has been particularly active recently defending banks in competition litigation. The law firm 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, including at both phase I and II, as well as assisting with the compliance aspects of net zero initiatives. Clients also benefit from the law firm's broad network of offices to act on multi-jurisdictional matters.

Baker McKenzie often assists clients with merger control filings and FDI notifications, including representing clients in phase II reviews before the CMA. 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 sector inquiries and the competition compliance aspects of distribution agreements. The team also has experience in appeals against authority decisions and in follow-on damages claims. It has a number of clients from the technology and pharmaceutical sectors.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has a notable contentious competition law practice, offering notable 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 in investigations into possible breaches of competition law conducted by UK regulators. In addition, the team assists with FDI filings and merger control notifications.

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 challenges to fines imposed by the authority. 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.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher assists clients with obtaining merger clearance following phase I and II CMA investigations 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. The team also has a growing reputation for its representation in high-profile competition disputes, including collective proceedings and damages claims. It is a popular choice with private equity houses as well as with clients from the technology and sporting sectors.

Pinsent Masons often represents clients in CMA investigations into allegations of possible abuses of dominance or bid rigging, as well as subsequent litigation, including follow-on damages claims related to cartel findings. 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.

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. Team members also have experience in subsidy control matters. 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, disputes before the CAT and appeals against behavioural fines. Team members offer further experience in subsidy control matters. Clients benefit from the team's ability to work together with colleagues based abroad.

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, including advising on phase II reviews.

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 phase II investigations. The team further assists clients with competition law compliance.

Covington & Burling is involved in a number of large multi-jurisdictional merger clearance mandates, often in cooperation with its offices in the USA 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.

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 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.

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.