Linklaters LLP’s UK competition litigation team sits at the forefront of the market, particularly on the defence side of complex, high-value claims and collective actions. The team regularly acts in major cases before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), the High Court, and appellate courts, and is particularly well regarded for its work in funded group litigation and class action defence. Tom Cassels leads the practice, bringing considerable expertise in group actions and high-value disputes. James Hennah continues to attract high-profile, contentious antitrust mandates. Sarina Williams is a trusted adviser to corporate and financial services institutions in complex competition litigation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Linklaters competition team attracts the very best clients. They have a huge reputation in this field, which is fully deserved.'
- 'The team is also particularly friendly and approachable. They achieve results by analytical and technical prowess.'
‘James Hennah is already hugely respected in this field.'
‘One of the handful of very top teams in this area, with particular expertise in banking, sports, and high-tech industries. ’
‘Tom Cassels leads a top-rate team and thoroughly deserves his reputation as one of the preeminent competition disputes lawyers in the City. Sarina Williams just oozes star quality, whilst James Hennah has a quiet assurance and steely determination that makes him stand out. ’
‘One of the biggest and best-resourced defence side practices. Multiple strong partners and quality of associates are uniformly excellent.'
‘Tom Cassels, Sarina Williams, and James Hennah are all very strong and experienced partners.'
'Linklaters has a formidable competition litigation team. From the partners down the quality is excellent. They are very clever, strategic, highly collaborative and a pleasure to work with.'
'All the partners are absolutely top notch. I have worked directly with Tom Cassels and James Hennah - both a truly excellent. Incredibly sharp, good at managing clients, fully on top of the substantive issues on a case, good at communicating with the experts and good at understanding our advice and evidence and the implications for the cases we work on.'
'The Linklaters competition litigation team is the best in the country. Tom Cassels is the ultimate wartime consigliere. Sarina Williams is a tough and relentless litigator, who has already amassed huge experience of leading large-scale litigation. James Hennah's smooth exterior hides an aggressive and tactically astute mind, and he has seen great success in major international cases.'
Key clients
- UK Department for Transport
- Sony Interactive Entertainment Limited
- Visa
- Microsoft
- Hutchinson 3G UK Limited
- Visa
- Sucocitrico Cutrale
- DENSO
- Kelkoo
- HG Capital
- Anglian Water
- Porsche
- The Football Association Premier League Limited
- Thames Water
Work highlights
Defending Anglian Water in its defence of opt-out, collective proceedings in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Advising Sony in relation to an opt-out collective action before the CAT concerning the operation of the PlayStation Store.
Representing Visa in thousands of actions brought before the English High Court and the Competition Appeal Tribunal by retailers.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Sarina Williams
Practice head
Tom Cassels
Other key lawyers
James Hennah; Sarina Williams; Alex Fawke; Thomas Caldwason; Jason Shardlow-Wrest; Rebecca Dickie; Alex Hannington