Dispute resolution
On the merger control side, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP continues to see growth in complex clearance mandates, including Phase 2 investigations. The team is also well regarded for its expertise in foreign direct investment and competition investigations, as well as its work on increasingly prominent industry-wide market studies undertaken by the CMA. Practice head Veronica Roberts has extensive experience advising on high-profile competition investigations and merger/FDI clearances in the UK and globally. Stephen Wisking’s broad practice spans merger control, cartels and abuse of dominance cases. Susan Black regularly advises on competition law issues affecting the consumer, transport and financial services sectors. Suzy Campbell brings deep competition law expertise and strong sector-specific knowledge of the highly regulated aviation industry.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Work Department
Antitrust, Economic regulation, Merger control, Competition litigation, Class actions
Position
Partner, London
Career
Stephen is a partner in the competition, regulation and trade practice.
Stephen has over 20 years' experience and has been involved in a significant number of landmark competition and regulatory cases at EU and UK level. He specialises in all aspects of EU and UK competition law, including merger control, cartels and abuse of dominance cases, market investigations, competition disputes and strategic advice. Stephen advises clients across a broad range of sectors including financial services, media (particularly broadcasting), telecoms, energy, pharmaceuticals and professional services.
As a competition litigator, Stephen has conducted complex competition disputes (both regulatory appeals and private enforcement). He has conducted cases before national competition authorities, in the European courts and the High Court of England and Wales, as well being involved in numerous cases in the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) since its inception. Stephen is a qualified solicitor advocate and has appeared as counsel in the CAT and the European Court of Justice. He is also a member of the CAT Users Group.
Stephen also advises clients on the application of economic regulation and on contentious regulatory matters particularly in relation to telecoms and all forms of media. His cases are often complex and invariably involve highly technical expert evidence.
Stephen speaks and publishes extensively on competition law issues, particularly in relation to competition litigation issues, and was closely involved in the consultation on the revised CAT Rules published in September 2015.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Responsive, hardworking, and down-to-earth.’ ‘André Pretorius—robust. Louis Austin—efficient.’ ‘Highly skilled and knowledgeable.’ 'One of the top antitrust groups in the UK. They are excellent substantively, highly client-service oriented, and much more cost-effective than US firms. They have tremendous experience and expertise. Very impressive in all respects.' 'Andre Pretorius - Tremendous antitrust lawyer who provides very thoughtful, considered advice. He is extremely experienced and has a calm demeanour. Very insightful and measured. He is very, very impressive.' 'Vassilena Karadakova - Highly impressive younger partner. Very experienced and thoughtful, and hugely responsive to the client. Knowledgeable and practical. Will be a star in this field.'
Key clients
- Amentum Services Spreadex Hotel Chocolat Meta Sainsbury's Iveco Group Google Virgin Atlantic Airways The Ardonagh Group The Coca-Cola Company WH Smith Bellway Homes Wincanton
Work highlights
Advising Jersey Airtel in connection with the Phase 2 merger review in Jersey relating to its acquisition by Sure.
Advising Spreadex in respect of its completed acquisition of the B2C business of Sporting Index Limited.