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Sarah Smith

Partner
Head of Competition, London

Sarah Smith is a fantastic partner. She is go-getting and commercial, whilst also never taking herself too seriously. I really enjoy working with her.,’ ‘Sarah Smith is technically excellent and committed to her clients.’ and ‘Sarah Smith is a strong lead partner with an excellent knowledge of the UK system.’

— Legal 500
London
About

Sarah heads the UK competition team and advises on all aspects of EU and UK competition law, including: 

• Competition law investigations

• Appeals to the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal and EU Courts

• Market Studies and Investigations

• Behavioural competition law advice on commercial contracts and projects

• Competition law compliance and training

• EU and UK merger filings

• Multi-jurisdictional mergers

• Competition litigation 

• FDI and National Security and Investment Act matters

Sarah also advises on other regulatory matters and areas of EU law.

Sarah is ranked in Legal 500 2023 as a Leading Individual and in Chambers UK 2023 and Chambers Europe 2023. 

Legal 500 quotes clients who say 'Sarah Smith is a fantastic partner. She is go-getting and commercial, whilst also never taking herself too seriously. I really enjoy working with her.,'  'Sarah Smith is technically excellent and committed to her clients.' and 'Sarah Smith is a strong lead partner with an excellent knowledge of the UK system.'

Areas of FocusRegulatory and Government Affairs
Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

  • Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc on its acquisition by EQT.
  • Dentsu Group Inc on its acquisition of TAG.
  • Erith Group on the CMA’s Chapter I investigation in the supply of construction services.
  • John Laing on the acquisition of an indirect majority interest in Norway’s Rv555 road public-private-partnership.
  • Philip Morris International on its acquisitions of Vectura Group plc, Fertin Pharma and OtiTopic.
  • Korean Air on its acquisition of Asiana Airlines.
  • Menzies plc in its acquisition by Agility.
  • CVS plc on a UK merger investigation.
  • Graphic Packaging Inc on its acquisition of AR Packaging.
  • Merck KGaA in the CMA’s pay for delay investigation in paroxetine / GSK and appeal.
  • Merck KGaA in the EU Commission pay for delay investigation in citalopram / Lundbeck and appeal.
  • Lupin in the EU Commission pay for delay investigation in perindopril / Servier and appeal.
  • Heineken UK’s acquisition of Punch Taverns.
  • Heineken UK in the PCA investigation and appeal.
  • Menzies plc on its acquisition of Airline Service.
  • John Swire & Son’s acquisition of Biodiesel Amsterdam.
  • Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc's acquisition of Osurnia from Elanco.
  • Tata Steel Europe on 3 corporate transactions.
  • CEVA plc in the European Commission freight forwarding investigation and appeal.
Education
  • B.A., Politics, Philosophy & Economics, Balliol College, University of Oxford
  • Postgraduate Degree, EC Competition Law, King's College London

Awards AND RECOGNITIONS

  • Sarah Smith has been named as a leading Individual for EU and Competition Law and Competition Litigation - Legal 500, 2024.
  • "Sarah Smith is impressive, with great client handling and a firm hand on everything." – Chambers
  • "She is supportive, client-focused, easy to deal with and knowledgeable." – Chambers

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in the Republic of Ireland (non-practising)

My latest insights

Publication

Dynamic Pricing: The CMA takes a closer look

3 December 2024 .3 minute read

News

DLA Piper advise Benchmark on sale of Genetics business to Novo Holdings and formal sales...

26 November 2024 .2 minute read

Publication

UK-EU Competition Cooperation Agreement: A new era of collaboration

11 November 2024 .3 minute read

View All

Connect

Phone

+44 (0)20 7349 0296
(Work, London)
+44 (0)7738 295 220
(Work)
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