Mishcon de Reya LLP‘s broad group litigation practice spans insurance, securities and opt-out collective claims. The team boasts experience representing claimants in business-interruption claims arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Insurance specialist Richard Leedham leads the team. Sarah Houghton is head of the competition group, advising on opt-out collective action in the CAT, follow-on damages claims related to the trucks cartel and MIF proceedings. Ben Lasserson focuses on the Big Tech space, representing claimants in abuse of dominance and privacy cases. In January 2024, the firm was bolstered by the arrival of Pedro Martins and Tomas Mousinho, both of whom joined from Pogust Goodhead.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A superstar team with strength in depth across all seniority levels.’
‘Richard Leedham is a wise hand with extensive experience of group and quasi-group litigation. Ralph Fearnhead is quickly establishing himself as a major player in the securities litigation market.’
‘Richard Leedham, Ralph Fearnhead and Andrew Short run a dynamic and creative group litigation team running some of the most cutting-edge cases in the ESG space.’
‘A well-established firm with great clients, able to run cases in multiple areas since it has fewer client conflicts in relation to many of the defendants in big litigation.’
‘Ben Lasserson is a seasoned pro who has a real knack for discovering claims for established and new clients alike. Sarah Houghton is a great manager of her team, with great judgment and strategic vision. An able team of senior associates such as Gwen Ballin-Reeler, Audrey Dwyer and Zach O'Brien provide fantastic support.’
‘They are very well regarded in the market and at the cutting edge of new developments.’
‘The team is highly motivated and hard-working. It possesses strength from partner to junior associate and paralegal levels. It is responsive to clients and counsel and provides helpful judgment at the more senior levels.’
‘Sarah Houghton, is a very strong competition lawyer who approaches issues with flexibility and firmness. She is a safe pair of hands and works well in interfacing with counsel teams. Gwen Ballin-Reeder works across all aspects of large cases and maintains effective knowledge of the interaction between the various aspects of the case. She is hard-working and dedicated. Zachary O'Brien is bright and able and committed to advancing client interests efficiently and with commitment.’
Key clients
- Various investors in the shares of Indivior plc and Reckitt Benckiser Group plc
- Justin Le Patourel
- Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd, Asda, Curry's, Iceland, The John Lewis Partnership (including Waitrose Limited), Wilko Limited (in administration)
- Andrew Prismall
- Burger and Lobster Restaurant Group Limited, Newcastle Rugby Limited, and 39 others
- Claimant group comprising thousands of licensed black cab drivers
- Janet ("Jennifer") McAdam and others
- To be identified shareholders of Drax Group Plc
Work highlights
- Acting for over 300 investors in the shares of Indivior plc and Reckitt Benckiser Group plc in a s.90/90A FSMA claim against the two companies for losses caused by alleged misconduct in relation to the marketing in the US of a drug known as Suboxone.
- Acting for Justin Le Patourel, the class representative in the lead collective proceedings in the CAT against BT for alleged abuse of its dominant position in the market for landline services, the first collective proceeding to reach trial in the UK.
- Acting for thousands of licensed black cab drivers who wish to bring claims against Uber for losses sustained as a result of Uber's unlawful activities in the London market.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Richard Leedham, Sarah Houghton