Who’s Who in UK Competition Class Actions -Top 51 Barristers

By Sylwester Frazzoni

This article offers an exclusive look at the top barristers driving collective actions at the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in the UK.

Using data derived from 220 published transcripts of hearings related solely to collective actions, this list identifies the leading legal professionals shaping this pivotal area of competition law.

Part one of Who’s Who in UK Competition Class Actions, focusing on law firms, was published on 14 January.

Key Insights

• 220 transcripts analysed.
• 167 barristers identified.
• 1,733 appearances recorded in total.
• The Top 51 barristers accounted for 1,250 appearances, representing 72% of all appearances.

The rankings below are based on the number of days each barrister appeared before the CAT, offering today’s view of the leaders in the field.

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Top 10

Position	Name	Days in Tribunal	Chambers
1	Michael Armitage	63	Monckton
2	Ronit Kreisberger KC	54	Monckton
3	Jack Williams	42	Monckton
4	Matthew Cook KC	41	One Essex Court
5	Mark Hoskins KC	40	Brick Court
6	Daisy Mackersie	38	Monckton
6	Marie Demetriou KC	38	Brick Court
7	Daniel Beard KC	37	Monckton
7	Sarah Love	37	Brick Court
8	Anneliese Blackwood	34	Monckton
8	Derek Spitz	34	One Essex Court
9	Natalie Nguyen	32	Monckton
10	Matthew Barry	31	One Essex Court

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Gender Representation

The Top 10, which includes 13 barristers, is nearly evenly split between male and female barristers, showcasing gender diversity at the highest level of the rankings.

Among the Top 51 barristers, 29% are female and 71% are male.

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Chambers Dominance

Two chambers dominate the Top 51 list:

• Monckton Chambers – with 20 barristers.
• Brick Court Chambers – with 19 barristers.

Together, these chambers contribute 80% of the Top 51, underscoring their preeminence in UK collective actions.

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The Top 51

Position	Name	# Days in Tribunal	Chambers
1	Michael Armitage	63	Monckton
2	Ronit Kreisberger KC	54	Monckton
3	Jack Williams	42	Monckton
4	Matthew Cook KC	41	One Essex Court
5	Mark Hoskins KC	40	Brick Court
6	Daisy Mackersie	38	Monckton
6	Marie Demetriou KC	38	Brick Court
7	Daniel Beard KC	37	Monckton
7	Sarah Love	37	Brick Court
8	Anneliese Blackwood	34	Monckton
8	Derek Spitz	34	One Essex Court
9	Natalie Nguyen	32	Monckton
10	Matthew Barry	31	One Essex Court
11	Daniel Jowell KC	30	Brick Court
11	Jennifer MacLeod	30	Brick Court
11	Paul Harris KC	30	Monckton
12	Daniel Piccinin KC	29	Brick Court
12	Hugo Leith	29	Brick Court
12	Sarah Ford KC	29	Brick Court
13	Ali Al-Karim	28	Brick Court
13	Tony Singla KC	28	Brick Court
14	Sarah Abram KC	27	Brick Court
15	Brian Kennelly KC	25	Blackstone
15	David Bailey	25	Brick Court
16	Nicholas Bacon KC	24	4 New Square
17	Victoria Wakefield KC	23	Brick Court
18	Paul Luckhurst	22	Blackstone
18	Stefan Kuppen	22	Monckton
18	Tom Pascoe	22	Brick Court
19	Philip Moser KC	19	Monckton
20	David Went	18	Exchange
20	Rob Williams KC	18	Monckton
21	Emma Mockford	17	Brick Court
21	Nikolaus Grubeck	17	Monckton
22	Matthew Kennedy	16	Brick Court
23	Jamie Carpenter KC	15	Hailsham
23	Josh Holmes QC	15	Monckton
24	Alexandra Littlewood	14	Monckton
24	Ben Rayment	14	Monckton
25	David Gregory	13	Monckton
25	James Bourke	13	Monckton
25	Sonia Tolaney KC	13	One Essex Court
26	Anneli Howard KC	12	Monckton
26	Antonia Fitzpatrick	12	Monckton
26	Gerard Rothschild	12	Brick Court
26	James Flynn QC	12	Brick Court
26	Tim Ward KC	12	Monckton
27	Crawford Jamieson	11	Brick Court
27	Daniel Carall-Green	11	Fountain Court
27	Rhodri Thompson KC	11	Matrix
27	Stephen Donnelly	11	Essex Court

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Methodology

Each appearance listed in a transcript is counted as one day. In cases where transcripts lacked detailed listings, data was extracted from the transcript text where this was feasible. The analysis covers hearings from 2015 to 2024.

The full searchable list will be available on our site, continuously updated with data from upcoming hearings to reflect its dynamic composition.

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What’s Next?

Competition.Today will publish Part 3 of Who’s Who in UK Class Actions next week, offering a detailed examination of the chambers leading these cases and the collective actions they represent.

Future editions in the series will spotlight litigation funders and economic experts, offering a comprehensive view of the key players shaping the field.

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If you have any feedback or questions, please email us at: editor@competition.today