Expertise

Recognised as one of the leading competition litigators in the UK and Europe, Kate has over 25 years’ experience of complex and high-value disputes, both in the UK and overseas, most recently acting for major global corporates based in France, Sweden, Switzerland and Slovenia in relation to anti-competitive conduct. Kate’s clients span a wide range of sectors including retail, manufacturing, aviation and energy who have been affected by cartel activity or abuse of a dominant position.

Kate is known for her dynamism and sound litigation judgment and she is frequently reinstructed by her clients. Kate has extensive experience litigating in the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Experience

• Acting for Swiss-based LafargeHolcim, one of the world’s largest building suppliers, in relation to its multi-million Euro pan-European truck cartel claim in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
• Represented Asda, Argos and Morrisons in their landmark Supreme Court victory, against Mastercard in the long-running multilateral interchange fee litigation (the first claims of their type to be issued in the English Courts) relating to anti-competitive credit card fees.
• Acting for M&S against DAF and Mercedes-Benz Group in a multi-million pound claim following on from the well-publicised Trucks Decision of the European Commission.
• Acting for a significant group of major house-hold name retailers in their respective multi-million pound claims against Visa and Mastercard for damages relating to multilateral interchange fees.
• Advised major global electronics distributor, Ingram Micro, in its claim against Samsung and others in connection with the liquid crystal displays Cartel.
• Acting for Swedish-State owned energy company, Vattenfall in its long-running dispute against major power cables manufacturers arising from the high voltage power cables cartel.
• Acted for EU-based manufacturer of household appliances in its claim relating to the refrigeration compressors cartel.
• Advising a major EU-based textile manufacturer in relation to a substantial claim for damages.

Career

Kate trained at Travers Smith in London. She joined Wragge & Co in 1999, moving to Walker Morris in 2006. Kate joined Stewarts in 2011 and was made a partner in 2012.