Drawing on the firm’s global network, the team at Dentons possesses the capabilities to provide advice on the full scope of contentious and non-contentious competition matters, advising clients across the financial services, real estate, transport, and energy sectors. Leading the team is Adrian Magnus , who specialises in merger control and behavioural matters, with a keen focus on the competition aspects of commercial contracts.  Christopher Graf's practice covers the full range of competition matters, with a particular focus on merger control, investigations, distribution arrangements and economic regulation. The team continues to grow with the arrival of Laura Whyatt, who joins from Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Always available and responsive, always provide a solution, good balance of legal and commercial approach.'

  • ‘Responsive, good combination of commercial & legal approach.'

  • ‘What sets the Dentons Competition Law practice apart from the competition is its proactive and innovative approach to competition law. The firm's lawyers are not only adept at navigating the current regulatory framework but also possess a keen understanding of emerging trends and developments in the field. Dentons also has real cross-border capability.’

  • ‘Adrian Magnus is an excellent lawyer: technically astute, tactically savvy and a real pleasure to work with.'

  • 'Viktoria Lightbody (née Tsvetanova) stands out. She is incredibly hard working and very effective. She is also a pleasure to work with.’
  • 'The team gives us practical but of course legally solid advice.’

  • ‘Christopher Graf and Sanam Shah are both very excellent.'

Key clients

  • DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
  • Civil Aviation Authority
  • Merck KGaA
  • Yamaha Music Europe
  • Dye & Durham
  • Stagecoach South Western Trains (SSWT)
  • Informa
  • Marks & Spencer
  • John Lewis/Waitrose
  • Capita
  • Irish Infrastructure Fund (Infrabridge)
  • Avis Budget Group
  • Premier Foods

Work highlights

  • Advising BEIS on the UK government's energy pricing measures, including preparing and advising on new legislation.
  • Advising the CAA on its successful defence of its pricing determination for London Heathrow Airport, despite appeals to the CMA by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Delta, as well as by Heathrow Airport Limited.
  • Advising Dye & Durham on its challenge in the Competition Appeal Tribunal of the CMA's decision to refuse to allow it to spin-off TM Group to D&D's shareholders, as an alternative to selling it via a conventional auction process.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Adrian Magnus, Chris Graf

Other key lawyers

Christopher Graf, Rebecca Owen-Howes, Thalia Morris, Laura Whyatt, Viktoria Lightbody, Sanam Shah