Steered by the ‘experienced’ and ’incredibly hardworking’ Cameron Firth, Macfarlanes LLP remains strong choice for a diverse range of clients seeking assistance in behavioural and transactional competition matters. The team is particularly strong in the consumer, financial services, media and pharmaceutical sectors, and is regularly engaged by a number of household names. Malcolm Walton, described as 'an excellent lawyer with a commercial focus', regularly deals with the CMA and European Commission in merger cases, while Tom Usher boasts considerable expertise advising on sectoral inquiries relating to financial services, broadcasting markets, extended warranties and pricing issues.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is high quality but also pragmatic, making them easy to deal with.'

  • The Macfarlanes team is collaborative.'

  • ‘Malcolm Walton is an excellent lawyer with a commercial focus. He is always on top of the detail and is solutions driven.'

  • 'Cameron Firth is an experienced, high-quality competition lawyer and is incredibly hardworking.’

Key clients

  • Mercedes-Benz
  • ZF
  • Flynn Pharma
  • Wendel SE
  • Epiris
  • NuVasive, Inc
  • Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
  • abrdn plc
  • Associated British Foods Plc
  • BBC
  • Genius Sports
  • NatWest
  • Qatar Sports Investments
  • Anglian Windows Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising the BBC in relation to two CMA investigations relating to the purchase of freelance services.
  • Advising Qatar Sports Investments and Premier Padel LLC on the acquisition of the World Padel Tour business and assets from Setpoint Events S.A.
  • Advising Flynn Pharma on a long-running dispute with the CMA culminating in a five week trial before the Tribunal in late 2023; the trial related to the CMA’s further decision on alleged unfair pricing of phenytoin, following Flynn successfully overturning the CMA’s original decision before the Tribunal.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Cameron Firth

Other key lawyers

Malcolm Walton, Tom Usher, Simon Day, Emma Radcliffe, Caja Griesenbach