EU and Competition Law

We provide advice to clients affected by investigations and sanctioning proceedings initiated by national or European authorities for possible infringement of antitrust regulations.

We have in-depth knowledge of the most relevant issues in the development of such proceedings, from the beginning (assistance in home inspections, leniency applications before the authority, etc.) to the end (conventional termination, settlement in European proceedings, etc.). If necessary, we defend our clients before national or European courts, challenging decisions contrary to their rights.

We have extensive experience advising clients on the review of their commercial agreements and initiatives with a view to bringing them into compliance with competition law.

We also assist them in the implementation of antitrust compliance programmes, with a view to mitigating the risk of non-compliance and its serious consequences. We tailor such programmes to the needs of each client and the characteristics of their business.

Our advice is in line with the standards recommended by the authorities in this area, guaranteeing complete and duly updated training on the basic rules to be respected by all companies and their employees.

We provide advice in relation to the duty to notify certain business mergers to national or European competition authorities, as appropriate. We have experience in notifying simple and complex transactions, negotiating commitments with the authorities to facilitate clearance.

We also assist companies and entities affected by mergers carried out by third parties, with potential impact on their interests.

Our lawyers advise companies and administrations on all types of issues related to the European state aid control system.

In particular, we advise clients affected by investigation proceedings concerning aid obtained, or with an interest in proceedings concerning aid granted to third parties. We also assist public administrations in assessing the compatibility of planned aid with the European scheme.

We represent our clients in legal claims for damages arising from infringements of competition law. We act in the interests of plaintiffs or, where appropriate, defendants.

We have significant experience in stand-alone actions (for abuses of dominant position, for example), as well as follow-on actions, such as claims by clients affected by a cartel or other infringements previously sanctioned by a competition authority.