Magic circle giant Allen & Overy (A&O) is to lose leading competition partner Alistair Lindsay, who is returning to the Bar next year.

Competition specialist Lindsay is set to join Monckton Chambers next September after 11 years at A&O, where he became one of the youngest lawyers in the firm's history to achieve partnership status in 2001.

The move marks a return to Monckton for Lindsay, as he initially trained at the chambers as a pupil and became a tenant for the first part of his career, before leaving for the A&O's antitrust group.

Lindsay, the author of The EC Merger regulation: Substantive Issues, will focus on competition law including merger control and behavioural investigations, reinforcing Monckton's position in the competition field.

Lindsay said: "Merger control and behavioural investigations have become much more complex in recent years, creating demand for the specialist consulting services offered by the Bar. I have had a fabulous 11 years at A&O and it was tough to leave an antitrust group that is in such great shape."

Monckton senior clerk David Hockney commented: "Alistair's decision is a real coup for Monckton. It demonstrates that as a set we are able to attract truly stellar lawyers within competition circles to complement Chambers as a whole and to further strengthen our competition practice."