DWF‘s stellar reputation in the competition law space spans the public and private sectors, as evidenced by the firm’s notable roster of blue-chip international businesses and leading public sector organisations, including both the Scottish and Welsh governments. Practice head Jonathan Branton‘s ‘really good instinct‘ has been instrumental in developing the team’s stand-out capabilities in the areas of state aid and, more recently, subsidy control; senior associate Jay Mehta and director Alexander Rose are also recommended for such work. Colin Murray, who leads the national local government offering, is another key group member.

Under the experienced leadership of Laurence Pritchard, the team at Weightmans LLP continues to be widely recognised for its expertise in competition law damages claims. The firm’s representation of UK Trucks Claim  in its application to the Competition Appeal Tribunal on behalf of 600,000 UK purchasers and lessees of trucks who suffered loss as a result of cartel activities is just one recent example of such work. The firm is also noted for its depth of industry knowledge in the airline, energy, food and drink, and insurance sectors. Gary Jones regularly advises local authorities and universities on subsidy control issues.

Addleshaw Goddard‘s reputation as a go-to advisor for the full gamut of antitrust mandates ensures that a roster of major corporates instructs the team to assist with the most complex competition enforcement and merger control matters. The firm is particularly well regarded for its cutting edge work on regulated cases; in a recent example, the group was involved with the judicial review of a CMA decision made in its tribunal capacity. The London-based Bruce Kilpatrick and Mark Molyneux  take the lead on advisory and litigious work, respectively. Over in Manchester, Samantha Haigh and managing associate Mark Crane are recommended.

Competition law expertise forms the cornerstone of the practice at Shoosmiths LLP. Principal associate Angela Gregson leads the team; she has a stellar track record representing clients in CMA and European Commission cases, including merger reviews, financial penalty negotiations, and price maintenance investigations. The firm also assists clients with the day-to-day management of their competition-related risks.

With ‘highly practical‘ group lead Diarmuid Ryan splitting his time between the firm’s Manchester, London and Brussels offices, the team is well placed to handle the gamut of contentious and advisory EU and UK competition and state aid matters. Assisting with international merger control reviews is a particular area of strength, as is acting in CMA market investigations.