David Went shortlisted for Competition / EU Junior of the Year at Chambers UK Bar Awards

September 7, 2022

David Went from Exchange Chambers has been shortlisted as one of three junior barristers in the UK for Competition / EU Junior of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022.

The awards, which take place on Thursday 17 November 2022 at Old Billingsgate, London reflect achievements over the past 12 months including outstanding work and excellence in client service. They honour the work of sets and individuals across the country based on the research for the recent edition of Chambers UK Bar.

The award recognition follows on from David being named as one of the UK’s leading competition law barristers by Who’s Who Legal: UK Bar 2022, for the sixth year in succession.

David’s practice covers both the litigation and advisory aspects of competition law, including competition damages actions, abuse of dominance claims, cartels, mergers, public procurement, and subsidy control, as well as related areas of EU, public, and regulatory law.

Regularly appearing before the UK courts and competition authorities, his experience spans a broad range of industries, including aerospace, agriculture, automotive, financial services, FMCG, high-tech, insurance, IT/internet, life sciences, manufacturing, media, mining, publishing, shipping, sports, telecoms, transport, and utilities.

David is currently acting for the Road Haulage Association (RHA) in bringing collective proceedings in the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) on behalf of road transport operators to claim compensation arising from the European trucks cartel.  In June 2022, the Competition Appeal Tribunal decided in favour of allowing the Road Haulage Association to proceed with its collective claim aimed at securing compensation for truck operators adversely affected by the cartel. This is the first ever opt-in collective proceedings to have been certified by the Tribunal under the new regime and the RHA’s success is even more notable given that it faced a competing opt-out (alternatively opt-in) application by UK Trucks Claim Limited which was dismissed in its entirety.

David is also acting in opt-out collective proceedings against Govia Thameslink Railway Limited and its parent companies. In July 2022, the Competition Appeal Tribunal handed down judgment certifying the proceedings.  The class representative authorised by the Tribunal is Mr David Boyle who is a journalist, author, think-tank expert, and independent reviewer for government.  David appeared on behalf of Mr Boyle, instructed by Maitland Walker LLP.