Our European law team advises on the complete range of competition (merger control, antitrust, state aid) and internal market (free movements, public procurement, consumer protection, liability and security products regimes) issues. In addition to advising on commercial arrangements and transactions, the team also provides high-level advice on using the competition rules strategically as a tool to attack our clients' competitors or on defending against investigations by the competition authorities.

EU and National Merger Control

We advise, from the earliest stage of a deal, on its structuring (merger, acquisition, JV), identifying the competition issues and obtaining clearance as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Competition (Antitrust) Investigations, Complaints and Compliance

We advise on commercial practices and horizontal and vertical contractual relationships in the light of competition law requirements in order to prevent risks of anti-competitive practices and abuses of dominance.

We also guide businesses to implement compliance programmes.  We advise clients during investigations by competition and regulatory authorities, as well as on whistle-blowing and applications for leniency from fines.  We help our clients to ensure compliance with competition rules.

State aid

We advise on filing of state aid cases before the EU Commission and obtaining approval of aid, as well as on the complaints process relating to unlawful aid being granted to competitors.

Regulatory

We provide our clients with timely, well-informed and practical, strategic advice on the implications of existing and new EU and national legislation in a wide range of issues and their transposition into national law in various sectors.

Through our long-standing contacts with various EU Institutions, we are well acquainted with current and future trends and regulations, and are able to provide fast and business-oriented solutions on questions related to the impact and interpretation of EU legislation.

EU Infringement Law

The recovery of damages caused by infringements of national competition and EU law is now becoming a commercial reality and, as such, businesses operating in Europe need to assess the risks and consider the opportunities that antitrust damages actions create.

Our lawyers have the experience of representing our clients before national courts and the European Courts (CFI or ECJ) in competition and EU law infringement cases.

Private International Law

Our European team also provides advice on any conflicts of law and of jurisdiction issues with commercial and civil aspects under the EU Regulations such as Rome I, Rome II and Brussels I and under the International Conventions of the United Nations and the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

China

Our European team works in close collaboration with our office in Shanghai to advise Chinese companies on EU law issues.