Competition Law
Europe Guide 2024 : UK
Band 4
Contact number
+44 207 071 4000Chambers Review
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher moves up in the rankings this year on the back of assisting clients with obtaining merger clearance following phase I and II CMA investigations for several high-value transactions. The law firm also has experience in foreign direct investment notifications. In addition the team has experience in behavioural matters, including assisting clients with CMA market investigations and defending them in allegations of breaching competition law. It is a popular choice with private equity houses, as well as with clients from the technology and sporting sectors.
Work Highlights
- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher advised VMWare on the CMA's review of its acquisition by Broadcom.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The lawyers are extremely responsive and very easy to work with. Their understanding of our business is first class."
"It is a go-to firm for the most complex and sophisticated legal matters."
"The quality of work is not just excellent legally but the firm's ability to review a political environment and the dynamic, and to understand complicated competition and commercial environments, is really top notch."
"I have been really impressed with the team and its ability to provide really actionable advice."
"The lawyers are extremely responsive and very easy to work with. Their understanding of our business is first class."
"It is a go-to firm for the most complex and sophisticated legal matters."
"The quality of work is not just excellent legally but the firm's ability to review a political environment and the dynamic, and to understand complicated competition and commercial environments, is really top notch."
"I have been really impressed with the team and its ability to provide really actionable advice."
Notable Practitioners
Ali Nikpay stands out for his ability to assist clients with obtaining competition law clearance for high-value mergers, often acting for private equity houses. He also advises clients on CMA market investigations, as well as matters involving allegations of abuse of dominant positions or restrictive agreements.
"Ali Nikpay is one of the top competition law specialists in London."
"He is as good as it gets. He knows about lots of areas and his ability to combine that knowledge into how an authority will view things is invaluable."
"Ali Nikpay is a great lawyer."
"I would put him at or near the top of the list of lawyers I would recommend. He understands better than anyone how competition authorities think and is very strategic."
"Ali's ability to see round corners and think three or more steps ahead is brilliant and very helpful both in the actual delivery of the right results but, equally importantly, in terms of the management of boards, stakeholders and deal strategy."
Deirdre Taylor has a broad competition practice, advising clients on CMA investigations, as well as assisting with merger control filings and FDI notifications. She also acts for clients on market inquiries.
"She's very good at having a gut feeling for how the CMA will see bumps in the road."
"She has a really encyclopedic knowledge of competition law."
"She is a good drafter, very clear and structured."
"I really like Deirdre Taylor, who is the master of the detail and incredibly hard-working."