Corporate and commercial
Mishcon de Reya LLP is recognised as a market-leading firm for claimant-side competition litigation, with particular strength in representing major corporates in complex, high-value damages claims. In 2024, the practice expanded with the arrival of highly regarded partner Wessen Jazrawi and managing associate Luke Grimes from Hausfeld. The team is led by Sarah Houghton, a highly renowned competition litigation specialist. Ben Lasserson continues to receive high-profile instructions in the big tech sector, while Zachery O’Brien adds further depth with his expertise in public procurement and judicial review.
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Profile
Work Department
Dispute Resolution - Competition Law
Position
Sarah is a partner in the firm's dispute resolution department, specialising in UK & EU competition law.
She is experienced in acting for both claimants and defendants in complex, high-profile cases involving competition law based claims or defences. She advises on both strategic and legal issues associated with litigation, such as choice of forum and reputational issues.
Sarah represented Microsoft in its cartel damages claims against Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Sanyo and LG Chem. Sarah also represented Sainsbury's in its successful claim against MasterCard, the highest damages recovered in a European competition damages claim.
Sarah has also been advising two former directors of companies involved in separate investigations by the Competition and Markets in the construction and pharmaceuticals sector, for breach of competition warranties and aspects of individual liability. She assists businesses that find themselves under investigation by Competition Regulators, and those concerned about the way their affairs may have been conducted, e.g. attending dawn raids, advising on defence strategies and assessing potential civil liabilities.
Sarah regularly undertakes competition law audits and provides training and compliance materials to businesses. She also advises on the competition law aspects of transactions and commercial agreements, including ways to structure agreements and alter commercial behaviour to minimise competition law risks.
Career
Partner, Mishcon de Reya LLP; Managing Associate, Mishcon de Reya LLP; Associate, DLA Piper UK LLP; Solicitor, Bell Gully
Education
Kings College London (MA, EC Competition Law; University of Auckland, New Zealand (LLB (Hons), B.Com (Economics))
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Mishcon team are well known in the competition litigation sphere and appear regularly at conferences and act for clients in a number of leading cases.’
‘ Sarah and Ben are both excellent lawyers, very knowledgeable and easy to work with.'
Key clients
- Justin Le Patourel
- Sainsbury's Supermarkets
Work highlights
Advising Justin Le Patourel, the class representative in the lead collective proceedings in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.