Digital Markets

Led by recognised competition lawyer Tim Cowen, our antitrust and disputes practice advises on the developing digital markets regulatory landscape before UK, EU and US courts and regulators.

Who We Are

We are a team of barristers and solicitors specialising in digital disputes, with expertise spanning multiple jurisdictions. Our practitioners include barristers qualified in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, offering a broad and international legal perspective. The team also features solicitor advocates, Higher Courts, Civil, with higher rights of audience, enabling representation before all courts in England and Wales, as well as a Ukrainian qualified advocate, reflecting the global scope and depth of our practice.

Key Contacts: Timothy Cowen, Robert Harvey, Manfred Kuerten, Sophia Yakhno, Robert McDonnell, Sabina Leschenko

What We Do

We specialise in a broad spectrum of digital disputes, with particular expertise in competition and antitrust law. Our work includes the strategic formulation and characterisation of cases, as well as the presentation of complex matters before relevant regulatory bodies and authorities. We provide advice, support and representation in proceedings across UK, US, and EU courts, navigating international legal frameworks with precision and insight.

We are the forefront of all digital regulation initiatives in the UK, EU and US. Our team was highly involved in the drafting and passage of the new regulation in the UK, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA), which set out how digital platforms will be regulated. In the EU, the Digital Markets Act 2022 also regulates such firms. Please contact Tim Cowen to find out how this may affect and/or assist your business.

Our Work

We have recently submitted Formal Complaints that Google is abusing its dominance by discriminating against rivals and exploiting content owners in its operation of AI Overviews to both the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the European Commission. We are actively exploring further damages actions and welcome contact from individuals or organisations affected by AI-generated content.

Our team has also led cases in the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the High Court such as Skimbit Ltd v Google (Google Shopping), Streetmap v Google (Google Maps), CityFibre v Ofcom, and Foundem v Google (Google Shopping), and is currently involved in collective actions against Big Tech.

We were involved in a high profile cryptocurrency litigation concerning Director of Public Prosecutions v Zhimin Qian & Jian Wen, which includes the largest confiscation proceedings in UK history, valued at approximately £4.8 billion.

We have advised on a range of significant merger inquiries before both the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the European Commission, including:

UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

•Tobii AB / Smartbox Assistive Technology Limited and Sensory Software International Ltd (2019), acted for Tobii AB

•Hutchison 3G UK Limited / UK Broadband Limited (2017), acted for Hutchison 3G

•TopCashback / Quidco (2018), acted for TopCashback

•BT / EE (2016), acted for third party intervenors

European Commission

•Hutchison 3G Italy / WIND / JV (Case M.7758, 2016), Commission Decision published in OJEU C/2016/391, acted for VEON

•Hutchison 3G UK / Telefónica UK (Case M.7612, 2016), Commission Decision published in OJEU C/2016/357, acted for UK Broadband/HKT

•Facebook / WhatsApp (Case M.7217, 2014), Commission Decision C(2014) 7239 final, published in OJEU C/2014/417, acted for third party intervenors