At DWF, practice head Jonathan Branton splits his time between Leeds and Manchester, handling high-profile work such as advising PepsiCo and subsidiary Walkers Crisps on the acquisition of Pipers Crisps. In addition to acting on merger control, the department is distinguished for its handling of EU state aid matters, EU procurement matters and EU funding regulatory issues. Cartels are a further area strength for the team, which also includes Colin Murray, an expert on public law, procurement and governance. Senior associate Jay Mehta’s strengths lie in representing education sector clients, local authorities and combined authorities.

Weightmans LLP has expertise in cartel damages, state aid and procurement law. Under the leadership of Laurence Pritchard, a merger control and anti-competitive practice expert, the team is particularly knowledgeable in the airline, airport, food and drink and insurance industries. It also represents a number of local authorities, listed companies, universities, developers and venture funds in relation to state aid issues with grants, deal structures and loans.

The ‘very commercial-thinking team’ at Addleshaw Goddard is entrusted for antitrust investigations, competition enforcement, merger control, state aid implications and advisory matters. In addition, the department is active in respect of competition litigation, led by Mark Molyneux, particularly in respect of matters concerning the retail and financial services sectors. Clients single out managing associate Mark Crane, who recently joined from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP.

The Manchester team at Squire Patton Boggs is part of a broader practice spread across London and Brussels; key partner Diarmuid Ryan divides his time between all three offices. Director Nicola Elam, who is based in the Manchester office, benefits from previous experience at the European Commission, and advises many of the team's key clients on UK and EU competition law.