Bernardine Adkins

I'm head of the Antitrust team of 10 lawyers, described as 'intelligent and cutting-edge', covering everything EU and competition has to offer.

Tel: +44 (0)121 685 2802

Email: bernardine_adkins@wragge.com

Best brains in ...

Thinking outside accepted orthodoxies to get a commercial result for the client; cartels work and litigation - and just good old 'quick n dirty' telephone advice.

Highlight of your career so far?

In the Land Rover v UPF (UK) Ltd case I covered the antitrust angle of litigation when Land Rover was being held to ransom by the liquidator of a supplier. We used Article 82 in an unusual way - to good effect and got a mandatory injunction awarded in Land Rover's favour and were able to settle the case. It mattered a lot to me as I grew up next to the Land Rover plant in Solihull and it was a privilege to use competition law in a creative way to make a difference.

Most challenging job you've ever done?

Where I was the lead partner in a full-blown Competition Commission investigation acting for both parties, which is both unusual and demanding. It was also highly cost-effective! Acting for one party before the CC usually requires stamina - acting for two was a real stretch. In retrospect, it was also great to challenge ourselves and our support staff.

What about outside the UK?

Part of the 'bread and butter' work in our practice is acting for US and other non-EU corporations covering the non-US side of merger clearances. We are used to turning around a position on 60 jurisdictions in double-quick time and working some funny hours in view of time differences... mind you, we once got a Guam lawyer out of bed...

Dedication to client care? Prove it!

Pulling the CEO of a client out of a bar at midnight to let him know the European Commission had just emailed me to say it wanted to run with his complaint. As the company was about to fold and this would save the day, as it did, he had no objection to being disturbed.

Best example of a creative legal solution?

Our Straight & Narrow online compliance programme. I was sick of reviewing tired old hard copy compliance programmes and so designed the programme. There are now a few other programmes around, but none of them have the 'fun element' of ours - or ease the burden of in-house counsel!

When have you ever given a client a real competitive edge?

In breaking the deadlock on a major piece of litigation by turning the competition law arguments back on the client's adversary. The case settled and our client was paid - luckily shortly before the adversary went bust.