Competition Law
UK Guide 2025 : Scotland
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(0330) 222 0050About
Provided by Dentons
The department is best known for:
Contentious competition law: previous submissions have mentioned successful challenges of regulators (Skyscanner v CMA/OFT; Stagecoach v CC; Nynas v European Commission; C&C against the Portman Group).
Breadth of competition law issues we can handle. Demonstrably involved in merger control; in financial services and competition law issues; in making leniency applications; in compliance; in competition aspects of vertical supply chains.
We have a body of experience and expertise, which is strengthening and expanding. We have experience in relation to platforms, big data, financial services, transport and State aid that is not rivalled by other Scottish competition teams. Our team has been involved in a number of high-profile litigation cases in recent years, as further evidence of real breadth and quality of experience, and the depth of our resources means that we are well placed to handle significant investigations, something we believe only London teams are capable of to the same extent.
Chambers Review
Dentons has a standout contentious competition law practice, assisting defendants with abuse of dominance proceedings and follow-on cartel damages claims. It advises on domestic and cross-border merger clearance, as well as subsidy control matters for private companies and public bodies. It is particularly popular with clients from the transport, life sciences and energy sectors. Its lawyers often work alongside the firm's office in London.
Work Highlights
- Dentons advised Stagecoach South Western Trains on a class action alleging abuse of dominance.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"We are always able to count on their support at short notice which is critical for compliance issues."
"We are always able to count on their support at short notice which is critical for compliance issues."
Notable Practitioners
Catriona Munro is based in Edinburgh and is a prominent figure on contentious competition law cases. She now acts as a consultant, assisting on collective proceedings and follow-on damages cases.
Michael Dean leads the Scottish competition team at Dentons and is based in Glasgow. He advises clients on contentious matters, predominantly abuse of dominance cases and cartel follow-on damages claims. He also assists clients with the competition law aspects of commercial agreements, such as pricing and distribution agreements. He has further experience in subsidy control matters.
"This is his area of expertise and he has a lot of experience. I found him to very knowledgeable. The advice he gives is commercial and he gives us a good grounding so we can make proper decisions."
"Our business is very comfortable dealing with Michael Dean. It's a strength that he can cut to the chase and give an honest view."
"Michael Dean invests time in the case and the relationship."
Based in Glasgow, Melanie Martin plays a key role in Dentons' competition team. She supports clients on a range of matters, including merger control notifications and subsidy control matters. She also assists with competition compliance matters.
"Melanie Martin is the person we would go to for everything, our first port of call. She's got really good working knowledge of us."
"I think she's got a really good handle on the subject matter and the legal practicalities while applying them to the commercial reality."
"Melanie Martin has an excellent understanding of the sector, both in terms of risks and in how real life scenarios play out with the regulators."