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.

With market-leading expertise in complex damages claims and collective actions before the CAT, Hausfeld & Co LLP remains a prominent force in the private enforcement of competition law across the UK and Europe. Led by Scott Campbell, the firm continues to file a significant number of claims, including high-profile actions against major technology companies, reflecting its strong capabilities in digital markets. Anthony Maton serves as global co-chair. Nicola Boyle is highly experienced in damages recovery and collective redress. Joanna Christoforou strengthened the team upon joining from Morgan Lewis in June 2024. Tom Bolster is recognised for his expertise in the automotive sector, while Lesley Hannah has played a key role in the firm’s ongoing abuse of dominance claims. Luke Streatfeild brings extensive experience on both the claimant and defence sides. Belinda Hollway joined the firm in June 2025.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP remains one of the UK’s most prominent defence-side competition litigation firms, highly regarded for its work on collective proceedings and multi-jurisdictional damages actions. The team is particularly active in defending clients in collective actions at both the certification and substantive stages, representing major corporate clients. The firm’s leading position in carriage disputes, in particular, underscores the group’s strong capabilities in complex procedural competition law. Co-chair Stephen Wisking, a qualified solicitor advocate, has appeared as counsel before the CAT, covering a broad range of issues. Fellow co-chair Kim Dietzel, also a solicitor advocate, has particular expertise in litigation before the CMA and the European Commission.

Slaughter and May has particular strength in follow-on damages claims and standalone private enforcement actions before the CAT and High Court. The team continues to advise on several of the most significant matters in the UK market, including multi-billion-pound claims relating to the trucks cartel, foreign exchange manipulation, and LIBOR. Claire Jeffs and Bertrand Louveaux, who divide their time between London and Brussels, serve as co-heads of competition. Richard Swallow leads the disputes and investigations group, while Camilla Sanger continues to head some of the most high-profile class actions and competition proceedings. Tim Blanchard brings extensive experience across both contentious and non-contentious competition law. Elizabeth Jordan and Holly Ware are also key members of the practice.

Clifford Chance LLP remains a leading player in high-stakes antitrust and competition litigation, with an exceptional trial record and expertise spanning both follow-on and standalone claims. The firm is widely recognised for its ability to manage complex, precedent-setting cases, supported by a core London team of dedicated litigators. Led by Samantha Ward, the firm is also regarded as a leading authority on CAT appeals against CMA decisions. Luke Tolaini is a key asset to the team, bringing 20 years of experience in antitrust investigations and litigation. Ben Jasper plays a central role in ongoing excessive pricing mandates.

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.

Macfarlanes LLP remains highly active across both regulatory appeals and private litigation, including individual damages claims and collective proceedings. Recent regulatory highlights include acting in high-profile appeals before the CAT against CMA pricing decisions. The group is also advising on a wide range of private competition claims, including several of the few cartel damages actions progressing to trial. Practice head Cameron Firth is an experienced litigator who has played a leading role in appeals against CMA decisions and major disputes before the English and EU courts. Simon Day is a trusted adviser to clients involved in complex antitrust litigation and group actions.

Co-led by Ian Giles and Caroline Thomas, Norton Rose Fulbright handles a steady stream of individual and collective competition disputes before the CAT, High Court, and appellate courts. High-profile matters include its representation of Orange in the Phones4U litigation, where the firm successfully defended allegations of anti-competitive collusion before the High Court and continues to act on appeals, as well as major class actions. Peter Scott is recognised for his broad competition litigation expertise, while Susanna Rogers and Helen Fairhead are both experienced in group actions.

Stewarts Law LLP’s dedicated contentious competition practice is known for advising on complex, high-value claims, often involving pan-European corporates and multinational defendants. The firm has a strong track record of taking cases through all levels of the UK judicial system, including the Commercial Court, CAT, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. A claimant-side firm, the group also offers essential support with litigation funding. Practice head Kate Pollock is recognised as a leading competition litigator, both in the UK and internationally. Inge Forster combines deep competition expertise with strong sector knowledge in energy and manufacturing.

Travers Smith LLP’s competition litigation team continues to act on some of the UK’s most high-profile and legally significant mandates. The group is active across a broad range of sectors, including financial services, automotive, construction, shipping, technology and consumer goods and is particularly noted for its strength in crossover regulatory-litigation matters and its deep familiarity with the pan-European cartel and dominance enforcement landscape. Nigel Seay and Caroline Edwards co-chair the team; Seay brings experience in precedent-setting competition litigation decisions, while Edwards is widely recognised for her work on complex, large-scale claims involving thousands of claimants.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP’s London-based competition litigation practice has established itself as a premier player, particularly noted for its strength acting for both claimants and defendants, as well as its leading collective action expertise. In February 2025, the team secured approval from the CAT for a £200 million settlement in the Mastercard v Merricks claim, marking the largest collective litigation settlement in UK history. Practice head Boris Bronfentrinker is renowned for representing claimants and defendants in high-profile cases before the High Court and CAT. Elaine Whiteford’s active practice focuses on follow-on damages litigation, regulatory challenges, and cartel investigations. Michelle Clark brings strategic insight into multijurisdictional competition litigation.

The competition disputes team at Addleshaw Goddard combines expertise in both antitrust law and high-value litigation, acting for major corporates across a wide range of sectors. Notably, the group is active on both the claimant and defendant sides of collective and class actions. The team is particularly involved in pan-European cartel defence mandates and consumer-facing sector disputes, including in the financial services, retail, automotive, and energy sectors. Practice head Mark Molyneux is a leading figure in competition disputes before the UK courts, while Paul Chaplin is highly experienced in competition cases across consumer-facing industries.

A&O Shearman’s London competition litigation team is recognised for its strength in high-value cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, and Competition Appeal Tribunal, as well as in investigations before UK and EU authorities. Dominic Long and Mahmood Lone co-head the practice; Long is particularly active in the TMT, energy, and healthcare sectors. Rachel Donelan advises across the full range of private antitrust litigation, including collective proceedings.

Ashurst’s London competition litigation practice is acknowledged as a key player, recognised for its track record in complex, business-critical disputes and appeals before the High Court, Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), European Court of Justice and General Court. Headed by Duncan Liddell, the practice has established expertise in collective actions, advising both claimants and defendants. Anna Morfey is a key figure, bringing over 20 years’ experience acting for both sides in collective actions. Nigel Parr is a recognised authority in global competition and antitrust law.

Led by Martin Davies, Latham & Watkins is recognised as a litigation powerhouse in London, with a high-profile competition litigation practice acting for leading global corporates on complex, business-critical matters. The team represents clients before the Courts of England and Wales, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), the European Courts in Luxembourg, and in investigations before the CMA and European Commission. Simon Pritchard, Jonathan Parker and Greg Bonné are key figures, each bringing senior experience from UK government agencies or the CMA, providing the firm with distinctive regulatory insight.

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.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP’s London antitrust and competition practice is distinguished by its strong track record across both contentious and non-contentious competition law. The team advises a diverse client base spanning life sciences, retail, technology, and private equity, and has particular strength in defending clients against dawn raids and investigations by the CMA and European Commission. Co-chair Frances Murphy is noted for her expertise in novel and complex areas of antitrust law, while Leonidas Theodosiou’s broad practice covers merger control, FDI control, enforcement matters, and competition litigation.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s competition litigation practice is experienced in high-value and novel contentious matters across the UK and Europe, advising clients in pharmaceuticals, automotive, financial services, construction products, energy, and digital markets. Team head Alan Davis is renowned for his work on CMA investigations into anti-competitive agreements and cartels. Angelique Bret is noted for her expertise in complex consumer protection enforcement actions.

Simmons & Simmons’ competition litigation team is recognised for its strong presence in the UK’s most technically complex and strategically important competition disputes. The group handles the full range of matters, including standalone and follow-on damages actions, cartel investigations, abuse of dominance cases involving injunctive relief, and collective proceedings. Patrick Boylan leads the practice, bringing over 20 years’ experience across highly regulated industries, including energy, life sciences, TMT, and financial services. Eleanore Di Claudio is noted for representing BT in the first collective proceeding to reach trial in the UK.

Working closely with colleagues in Brussels and the US, Arnold & Porter’s London competition litigation team is regularly instructed on sensitive competition investigations before the CMA and European Commission. High-profile damages litigation, pricing and distribution issues, and trade matters are also key areas of focus. Team head Jane Wessel has extensive experience acting in disputes before the CAT, while John Schmidt is noted for his strong track record in securing injunctive relief in abuse of dominance cases.

Bristows LLP’s competition litigation department is distinguished by its extensive life sciences expertise, further strengthened by the hire of Robert Vidal from Pinsent Masons in January 2025. The team is particularly strong at the intersection of competition, IP, and data protection, with a broader focus on the life sciences and tech sectors. Team head Sophie Lawrance is an experienced litigator with notable expertise in competition issues affecting the tech and pharmaceutical industries.

CMS’s competition litigation practice, co-led by Brian Sher and Kenny Henderson, works with clients through the full lifecycle of regulatory investigations and damages claims. Testament to its strength in disputes, the team's track record includes a string of high-profile victories before the CAT. Henderson handles the full spectrum of competition claims, including follow-on actions, cartel and abuse of dominance cases, while Sher has led on landmark matters across the energy, pharmaceutical, and technology sectors.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher remains a trusted adviser to major global companies seeking counsel on high-stakes competition disputes. Collective actions are a key focus for the team, including the first collective proceeding seeking damages for retail price maintenance under the new regime. Co-chair Ali Nikpay is noted for handling high-profile competition disputes across the retail, sport and digital technology sectors. Doug Watson continues to represent Apple across a range of matters.

Large-scale, high-profile disputes continue to be hallmarks of Milbank’s competition litigation team. A standout mandate is the firm’s ongoing representation of Visa in multiple proceedings before the High Court and CAT concerning alleged competition law infringements related to multilateral interchange fees. Practice chair Julian Stait focuses on competition litigation and cross-border investigations. Andrea Hamilton, noted for her focus on industrial clients, is also recommended.

Acting for both claimant and defendant-side clients, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is known for its strength across the financial services, consumer, retail, technology, and IP sectors. Practice head Kate Vernon is active on several high-profile, complex competition disputes.

RPC continues to grow its competition litigation practice, marked by the hire of Zoe Mernick-Levene, a class action specialist renowned for her work on high-profile claims against six UK water utility providers. Team head Chris Ross, a qualified solicitor advocate, is known for his expertise in both claimant and defendant-side matters. David Cran and Catherine Percy strengthen the practice with their in-depth knowledge of IP and the pharmaceutical sector, respectively. Tom McQuail, who joined from Morrison Foerster, is another recent addition.