As a boutique litigation firm working on the claimant side, Hausfeld & Co LLP stands at the pinnacle of the market. Able to ‘operate seamlessly across jurisdictions’, the firm’s London competition disputes team is spearheaded by Scott Campbell, who has worked on some of the largest cartel damages claims in England and Wales. In addition to his work on damages claims and investigations, Campbell assists clients with managing their litigation costs and risk. He is supported by a host of exceptional partners including Nicola Boyle, Anna Morfey, Lesley Hannah and Anthony Maton; Lucy Rigby is also noted by clients as ‘an outstanding junior partner’. The team has recently acted in a varied range of complex competition litigation work, including the high-profile ‘App Stores claims’ and automotive cartels cases, and is handling a class action on behalf of millions of UK rail passengers.

Fielding a pre-eminent competition litigation practice, Slaughter and May regularly acts on some of the largest private enforcement actions before the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal and High Court, as well as appeals before both national courts and the CJEU. Pooling cross-disciplinary expertise, the firm is praised for its ‘sheer quality’. Disputes and investigations practice head Richard Swallow has extensive experience of multi-jurisdictional competition litigation, having advised high-profile global clients such as Volkswagen and JPMorgan Chase. The team also benefits from ‘brilliant tactician’ Damian Taylor and ‘excellent litigator’ Jonathan Clark. Camilla Sanger, who has built up a large contentious antitrust practice, is also recommended along with 'formidable strategist' Holly Ware and Elizabeth Jordan.

Representing clients in a range of contentious issues, from regulatory investigations to damages claims before the Competition Appeal Tribunal, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP has a team of ‘exceptional quality’. With a strong defence practice, acting for major clients including BT and Royal Mail, the team has also created a dawn raid preparation package and offers in-house forensic accounting services. ‘Excellent strategist’ and solicitor advocate Edward Coulson, who regularly appears before the High Court, heads up the London competition litigation team, which sits within the wider global competition practice, led by Andrew Hockley , who is primarily based in Sydney. Associate Andrew Leitch is developing a strong reputation, particularly in cartel investigation work.

With a solid and experienced competition litigation team, regularly handling significant antitrust claims and cartel investigations, Clifford Chance LLP sits ‘at the top of the pile’ according to clients. Some significant recent mandates include representing Fortnite creators Epic Games in the Competition Appeal Tribunal against Google, handling abuse of dominance issues under TFEU provisions, and matters relating to the UK Competition Act. The group also represents noteworthy clients such as EE and Pfizer, and acted for the latter in an appeal before the Supreme Court. Members of the team have backgrounds in public law, criminal law, technology and regulatory investigations, supplementing the practice. Elizabeth Morony heads up the antitrust litigation team and conducts both claimant and defendant litigation, while Luke Tolaini is described by as the team’s ‘star operator‘, and Ben Jasper is a key name to senior associate level.

‘One of the leaders in the sector’, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP prides itself on taking its competition clients through the full life cycle of a case – from investigation to appeal. Its clients include household names such as Google and Virgin Atlantic, which benefit from the firm’s KC-led advocacy unit, ensuring quality representation in court. Experienced litigators Stephen Wisking and Kim Dietzel jointly oversee the competition practice, which regularly works on multi-jurisdictional matters and is known for its ‘technical ability’.

Hogan Lovells International LLP acts in high-profile damages claims, abuse of dominance claims, behavioural matters and collective actions. The latter includes the firm’s work defending Korean Air against one of the largest cartel damages actions ever brought in Europe. Practice head and seasoned litigator Nicholas Heaton has particular expertise in defending cartel damages claims and coordinating defence strategies across multiple jurisdictions. Alice Wallace-Wright, who has ‘excellent strategic judgment’, is one of the key leads in maintaining the firm’s relationship with major client Vodafone.

Handling complex cases before the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the High Court, and with expertise in dealing with class actions, the competition litigation team at Linklaters LLP is ‘among the strongest litigation teams in the City’. The ‘impressive’ and ‘wise’ Tom Cassels leads the practice, bringing to bear his extensive experience in acting on high level cases. He is supported by Harriet Ellis, Nicole Kar and the highly rated Sarina Williams, who is ‘making a great impression on the market’.

Steered by seasoned competition expert Malcolm Walton, Macfarlanes LLP is routinely engaged in high-stakes disputes arising from regulatory investigations, collective damages proceedings, and precedent-setting appeals. Cameron Firth enjoys a stellar reputation in the market – and the pharmaceuticals sector especially – on account of his broad capabilities in merger control matters, dawn raids and inspections, and contentious matters before the English and EU courts. Simon Day is similarly well regarded for his expertise in group litigation, handling numerous individual and collective damages actions for clients in the transport, automotive, and banking sectors. Emma Radcliffe, who was promoted to partner in May 2021, is noted for her proficiency in investigations before both the European Commission and the CMA, as well as follow-on claims at the High Court and in the CAT. Senior counsel Caja Griesenbach maintains a keen focus on jurisdiction challenges.

With a standout practice for claimant side competition litigation, Mishcon de Reya LLP is the go-to firm for a number of large UK businesses including Asda, John Lewis and Sainsbury’s. Practice head Sarah Houghton is acting in a claim against BT for a Chapter II Competition Act breach that affected over two million customers, and Ben Lasserson, who ‘goes the extra mile’, has been advising on follow-on damages claims in relation to the Trucks Cartel (and is also leading a privacy opt-out representative action on behalf of a class of 1.6 million individuals against Google and DeepMind Technologies regarding the unlawful transfer of medical records). The competition litigation team also provides an excellent ‘quality of service’ and continues to develop, with associates Zachery O’Brien and Gwen Ballin-Reeler praised at the junior end.

The specialist competition litigation practice at Stewarts Law LLP possesses a ‘dynamic’ team with a number of experienced partners including ‘amazing’ practice head Kate Pollock and cross-border disputes expert Inge Forster. The firm’s major clients include UK household names Asda and Marks & Spencer. The competition litigation team also uniquely contains in-house economist Mark Lewis.

Allen & Overy LLP's London competition litigation group is led by Mark Friend, working in tandem with global practice co-head Philip Mansfield. The practice has a strong emphasis on the financial services sector, as well as acting for clients in regulated sectors such as energy and transport. Recent work has included high-stakes cases concerning cartels, damages claims and CMA investigations.

The team at Ashurst handles a significant volume of CMA-instigated cartel investigations for a litany of major corporate clients, most notably in the financial services, pharmaceuticals and transport sectors. The group is also noted for its capabilities in abuse of dominance cases, state aid disputes, and follow-on litigation arising from contested merger reviews. The London practice is jointly chaired by dual-qualified (English and Irish) global head Nigel Parr, a veteran adviser with wide-ranging expertise, and EMEA head Euan Burrows, an acclaimed litigator who underpins the team’s position in transport and infrastructure matters. Duncan Liddell’s recent highlights include high-profile defence-side actions for clients in the financial services sector, and Steven Vaz is recommended for his knowledge of the UK NSI regime.

Lauded by clients for its ‘experienced, thoughtful and brilliant‘ capabilities at the intersection of IP and competition litigation, Bristows LLP is particularly well regarded for its technology and life sciences acumen. The ‘fantastic‘ Sophie Lawrance draws superlative praise from various blue-chip clients, which turn to her for representation in consumer technology and pharmaceutical sector proceedings. ‘Exceptional‘ practice co-chair Stephen Smith is an experienced advocate who acts for companies in a range of settings, before a number of regulatory agencies, while senior associate Edwin Bond focuses chiefly on technology, pharmaceuticals, and consumer electronics cases. Pat Treacy is now a senior counsel and part-time deputy High Court judge.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is well-versed in the full scope of follow-on, standalone, and collective proceedings, acting for a stellar mix of multinationals in proceedings before the CAT, the High Court, and the Court of Appeal. Leveraging decades of experience in competition litigation, Jonathan Kelly‘s ‘great strategic mind‘ makes him a key port of call for a range of consumer electronics conglomerates, transport companies, and investment banks. ‘Fantastic‘ counsel Paul Stuart is roundly praised by clients for the depth of his expertise in disputes before both the European Commission and the CMA. Paul Gilbert, as well as associates Lanto Sheridan and Alexandra Hackney are also recommended.

Sitting within the wider disputes group, Latham & Watkins‘ competition litigation team acts for some of the world’s foremost multinationals and financial institutes on high-stakes contentious proceedings, appearing before the CMA and the European Commission in cases at the CAT and the various English courts. Seasoned international trial lawyer Martin Davies is sought out by a number of the firm’s leading clients for his capabilities in collective and class actions. Oliver Browne‘s recent engagements include cartel claims and damages actions for major technology and consumer goods conglomerates. Associate Greg Bonné is noted for his expertise in CMA matters.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP‘s ‘extremely skilled and responsive‘ contentious practice is exceptionally active in pharmaceutical sector matters, acting in a number of multi-party appeals before the CAT and the High Court. The team is also noted for its capabilities in the retail, media, and transport sectors. The competition group is headed up by Frances Murphy, an ‘experienced, tenacious and perceptive‘ practitioner whose recent key engagements include significant retail sector antitrust appeals before the Supreme Court. Joanna Christoforou is recommended for her expertise in big-ticket cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, and consequent court proceedings. Partner Leonidas Theodosiou is noted for his extensive international capabilities.

Norton Rose Fulbright fields an ‘exceptionally dedicated and hardworking‘ team which has contentious capabilities spanning the worlds of financial services, telecoms, energy, utilities, and aviation. The antitrust and competition department is jointly chaired by EMEA head Ian Giles, a noted aviation expert, and Mark Simpson, a specialist in consumer markets. Caroline Thomas is noted for her broad TMT acumen, while Susanna Rogers‘ regulatory focus is especially concentrated in the electricity sector, where she regularly submits appeals to the CMA. The ‘highly impressive’ Helen Fairhead, who was promoted to partner in January 2022, acts for both claimants and defendants in banking and telecoms matters. Senior associates Jason Logendra and Amanda Town are also recommended.

Pinsent Masons LLP regularly handles claimant and defence-side follow-on damages actions and standalone antitrust actions for a varied roster of heavyweight corporate clients. Global practice head Alan Davis has ‘excellent command‘ of contentious competition law, most keenly concentrated in follow-on damages and abuse of dominance claims. The ‘outstanding’ Angelique Bret is praised for depth of her consumer law expertise, while Robert Vidal heads up the team’s dedicated life sciences and pharmaceuticals desk. Totis Kotsonis possesses decades of experience in state aid-related judicial proceedings in the EU courts and the English High Court.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP‘s stellar reputation in collective actions is complemented by its capabilities in follow-on and standalone litigation, where the team is regularly engaged by some of the key players from the financial services, technology, and other IP-intensive industries. Practice head Kate Vernon ‘continues to impress’ in class action proceedings, representing clients in litigation before the High Court, Competition Appeal Tribunal, and the Supreme Court. In summer 2022 the firm announced the hire of RPC competition head Lambros Kilaniotis – a seasoned consumer class action advocate. Leo Kitchen, who was promoted to partner in January 2022, is a highly experienced adviser, with recent highlights including major multi-jurisdictional cartel damages claims in the financial services sector. Associates Megan Betts and Rebecca Coyle are also noted. Boris Bronfentrinker, Elaine Whiteford and of counsel Michelle Clark have left the practice.

Sitting within the wider European antitrust litigation group, Simmons & Simmons‘ London-based team works collaboratively – both between offices and across departments – on a range of high-profile proceedings. Clients operating in various regulated industries turn to ‘incredibly smart’ practice head Patrick Boylan for his capabilities in follow-on damages and opt-out collective actions. Elizabeth Williams is roundly praised for her ‘authoritative‘ advocacy in TMT and financial services litigation, with recent highlights including high-value damages actions arising from EC cartel investigations. Managing associate Eleanore Di Claudio is recommended for competition class action cases.

Praised for its ‘friendly, professional, and responsive‘ approach, Travers Smith LLP‘s cross-departmental team handles numerous follow-on damages matters for clients in a range of industries, including the shipping, manufacturing, transport, and financial services sectors. ‘Brilliant‘ contentious co-chair Caroline Edwards regularly helms high-stakes defence cases, most prominently in relation to class action trucks proceedings, alongside regulatory investigations specialist Huw Jenkin. Competition head Nigel Seay‘s wide-ranging expertise is especially concentrated in the energy and utilities sectors, while Stephen Whitfield‘s recent highlights include high-level annulment applications taken before the EU General Court. Senior associate Ingrid Rogers is also recommended.

Working in close collaboration with its various European colleagues, White & Case LLP‘s London office enjoys a strong reputation among a varied roster of manufacturers, consumer goods companies, technology multinationals, and pharmaceutical conglomerates. The team is particularly active in follow-on litigation arising from cartel investigations, routinely appearing before the CAT, the Court of Appeal, and the High Court. The practice is jointly chaired by ‘extraordinary litigator’ Charles Balmain and the ‘gifted’ Marc Israel, a specialist in multi-jurisdictional proceedings. Working between the firm’s Brussels and London offices, Genevra Forwood is noted for her capabilities in state aid litigation, while Alexandra Rogers‘ ‘encyclopaedic knowledge‘ encompasses cross-border cartel defences in areas such as power cables, ball bearings, and Euribor derivatives. Counsel Raif Hassan is praised as an ‘ascendant figure‘ in damages actions.

In the wake of a substantial hiring streak, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP is fast establishing itself as a significant player in the contentious competition market. The team was significantly bolstered by the arrival of several partners and associates from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP in November 2021. The newly recruited practice head, the ‘exceptionally bright’ Boris Bronfentrinker, is praised both for his legal acumen and his tenacity in market-leading cases taken before the English courts, including multi-billion pound class actions in the financial services sector. Reputed by clients as a ‘tough and experienced litigator‘, Elaine Whiteford‘s recent highlights include claimant-side cartel proceedings before the High Court and the CAT. Dual-qualified barrister and advocaat (Belgium) Nicola Chesaites is praised for her capabilities representing both claimants and defendants in collective actions, while Michelle Clark – who was promoted to partner in January 2022 – is recommended for her broad sector coverage and contentious experience.

Addleshaw Goddard‘s competition disputes practice draws considerable praise from clients, which turn to the team for its capabilities in regulatory appeals and high-stakes proceedings before the CAT and the High Court. Practice chair Mark Molyneux is a ‘superb strategist‘ who regularly handles high-stakes follow-on damages actions in a range of sectors, while the ‘brilliant‘ Bruce Kilpatrick‘s recent engagements include administrative and opt-in collective proceedings before the CAT and the CMA. Rona Bar-Isaac is noted for her ‘calm leadership and excellent judgment‘ in energy sector judicial review challenges. Paul Chaplin, who joined the team from Hogan Lovells International LLP in February 2022, specialises in cross-border group actions.

Arnold & Porter is well-versed in both claimant and defendant-side competition disputes, working with a mix of leading international brands, retailers, and logistics companies on high-profile contentious matters. Jane Wessel is roundly praised for the depth of her expertise in competition damages actions, most recently acting against the trucks cartel on behalf of Dutch and English corporate clients. The ‘outstanding‘ John Schmidt is recommended for his capabilities in abuse of dominance claims, particularly in the pharmaceuticals and consumer goods sectors. Senior associates Alastair Brown and Zeno Frediani are also noted.

Drawing on its considerable domestic and international resources, CMS is well-placed to handle a strong mix of follow-on damages claims, competition enforcement proceedings, and tribunal appeals. ‘Litigation guru‘ Brian Sher is especially well regarded for his pharmaceuticals sector capabilities, while Kenny Henderson is praised for his ‘phenomenal tactical and strategic awareness‘ in high-value abuse of dominance actions and interchange fee claims. Caroline Hobson departed to Cooley (UK) LLP in early 2022.

Led by the ‘fantastic‘ Sarah Smith, DLA Piper is sought out by a number of high-profile clients for its capabilities in a range of competition disputes. Sam Szlezinger regularly acts for media, sport, pharmaceuticals and energy sector players before the European Commission and the CMA, while Alexandra Kamerling‘s recent engagements include merger control work and cartel and market investigations. Matt Evans, Jones Day‘s former UK competition head, joined the team in August 2021.

Milbank‘s disputes group is entrusted by some of the world’s leading corporations and financial institutions for the strength of its defendant-side competition practice. Recently, the team has continued to act for multinational payment service providers in high-value proceedings at the High Court and the CAT, as well as handling third-party cartel defence work in the industrials sector. Julian Stait is recommended for his capabilities in cross-border competition matters and cases before the English courts. Special counsels Emma Hogwood and Cormac Alexander are also noted.

The practice at RPC is praised by clients for its contentious capabilities, fielding a cross-practice team that advises across the worlds of insurance, retail, TMT, financial services, and healthcare. While practice head Lambros Kilaniotis is leaving to join Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, Chris Ross handles defendant and claimant-side matters in the food packaging, transport, and payment services industries, while of counsel Melanie Musgrave focuses most keenly on financial services matters.