Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has come to the aid of top public school Eton in connection with an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) cartel investigation.
Eton and Winchester College, which is being advised by Farrer & Co partner David Smellie, are being investigated by the OFT for allegedly fixing their fees.
The Lawyer understands that both schools have offered to assist the enquiry in return for leniency. The Competition Act 1998 allows parties under investigation to seek a reduction in their fines if they come forward with information at an early stage.
The OFT declined to release details of the investigation, but a spokesperson confirmed that it had carried out on-site raids at a number of schools.