Freshfields fields a heavyweight competition litigation team, widely recognised for its role in high-stakes, cross-border disputes. The team recently secured a landmark victory for Mastercard in the £10 billion Merricks consumer class action and is also acting in a number of other prominent opt-in and opt-out proceedings, including a major pan-European automotive cartel case. Co-chair Bea Tormey is noted for her dual-sided expertise in antitrust representation, while fellow co-chair Mark Sansom continues to act on market-defining mandates, including leading Mastercard’s defence in the Merricks litigation. Other key figures include Deba Das, particularly noted for his sports sector experience, and global antitrust litigation co-chair Nicholas Frey, who also runs the London-based mass claims team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Freshfields are the best in the business for competition litigation. They have unrivalled strength and variety of expertise, from the most senior to the most junior team members; they are able to recruit and retain the brightest and best minds in this field.'
‘Freshfields brings unparalleled experience, cutting-edge expertise and highly incisive judgment to each of their representations.’
‘Mark Sansom has immense experience and an extraordinary mastery of both the strategic direction and the detail of the cases that he leads.'
- 'Ricky Versteeg brings outstanding creativity and has the cutting edge legal points at his fingertips.'
- 'Alex Holroyd has excellent strategic sense and superb organisational skills.'
‘Freshfields are the preeminent competition litigation team in London. They have immense strength and depth of ability and resource at all levels and approach cases with the utmost thoroughness and professionalism.'
‘A number stand out: James Aitken is really a brilliant practitioner in all senses; Bea Tormey is an absolutely first-rate lawyer and hugely respected; Deba Das is an excellent competition lawyer.'
Key clients
- AB Volvo
- BT Group Plc
- Continental Teves
- The Go-Ahead Group
- Grieg Seafood
- Manchester City Football Club
- Mastercard
- Meta Platforms
- Noble Foods Group
- Roadget Business
- Yorkshire Water Services
Work highlights
Acting for Mastercard in the Merricks v Mastercard consumer claim.
Representing AB Volvo, acting as co-ordinating counsel defending over 3,000 claims spanning 23 jurisdictions.
Representing Govia Thameslink Railway Limited and London & South Eastern Railway in defending two opt-out consumer class actions.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Mark Sansom
Practice head
Bea Tormey; Mark Sansom
Other key lawyers
William Robinson; Nicholas Frey; Deba Das; Ricky Versteeg; Emma Probyn; Alexandra Holroyd