Competition Disputes

Expert legal advice on competition disputes across the full spectrum of cartel damages, abuse of dominance and regulatory proceedings.

Overview

When the stakes are high, Travers Smith's market-leading competition litigation team brings unrivalled experience, seniority and a proven track record to the most challenging disputes. From cartel damages claims to abuse of dominance proceedings, our lawyers have played an instrumental role in shaping the development of competition law through the cases they have litigated.

The team advise on the full spectrum of competition disputes, including CMA investigations, EU Commission proceedings and complex damages claims across a wide range of sectors, from manufacturing and sports to technology. 

Our dispute resolution practice is rated number one in the UK for client service. Clients benefit from direct access to senior lawyers who are deeply invested in achieving the right outcome. As competition litigation continues to evolve at pace, we are the partner of choice for those seeking clear, authoritative guidance in this fast-moving area of law.

Selected highlights

  • Acting for a US-owned European truck manufacturer defending multiple damages claims brought before the English courts (both as individual claims and as class action proceedings) arising from the European Commission's decision on anti-trust infringements in the Trucks market. As part of its defence of the class action proceedings our client had appealed to the Supreme Court in relation to the class representatives' funding arrangements (R (on the application of PACCAR Inc) v The Competition Appeal Tribunal), which raised fundamental issues for both the anti-trust class action regime and the broader litigation funding industry. The consequence of this successful appeal was that the class representatives' existing funding arrangements were found to be unenforceable but the PACCAR ruling also  represents a very important development for the litigation funding industry more generally.

  • Advised Frasers Group on a competition law claim against Newcastle United, JD Sports and adidas, alleging abuse of dominance and anti-competitive agreements after Newcastle United refused to supply its official replica kit to Sports Direct for the 2024/25 season.  The case was settled on confidential terms.

  • Advising a global investment bank on a number of European Commission investigations into alleged anti-competitive practices in respect of its trading activities, and on related investigations in other jurisdictions.

  • Advising an international fragrance and flavour input provider in respect of a competition damages claim bought before the English courts by Unilever in relation to an alleged cartel under investigation by multiple competition authorities.

  • Advising a financial sector client on potential injunction proceedings before the High Court in relation to alleged abuse of dominance (refusal to supply) by a dominant supplier.  The case was successfully settled in our client's favour, with access provided on the requested terms.

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Read Caroline Edwards Profile
Caroline Edwards
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Joseph Moore

What others say

A highly expert team with unparalleled experience in complex multi-jurisdictional competition litigation.
Legal 500 2027
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.
Legal 500 2026
Travers Smith is simply outstanding in this space. Their innovative and strategic brilliance in this sector was underlined by the epic victory the firm achieved in the Supreme Court in the leapfrog appeal to the Supreme Court in the Trucks litigation (the PACCAR appeal), which rocked the litigation funding sector.
Legal 500 2025

Our Disputes Practice

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