Overview
When you are choosing a legal partner, we believe you will always be in the best position if you select a law firm that understands your world. When it comes to antitrust and competition law, you need experts on hand that can provide strategic advice based upon extensive experience. Your competition lawyers need to understand the issues that will affect you now, and in the future.
We take the time to gain an overview of your goals and to understand how these fit into your wider commercial ambitions. We combine first-class legal expertise with a deep understanding of evolving policy, providing you with practical advice on how to promote and protect your business interests.
What is antitrust and competition law?
Antitrust and competition law exists to ensure that markets are competitive. Infringements of competition law and antitrust violations can have significant financial and reputational consequences for companies. They can also affect individuals if criminal sanctions and director disqualification orders are imposed.
Amongst other aspects, antitrust and competition law:
- prohibits arrangements that restrict competition (e.g. under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and the Chapter I Prohibition of the Competition Act 1998);
- prohibits conduct which is an abuse of a dominant position (e.g. under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and the Chapter II Prohibition of the Competition Act 1998);
- enables authorities to intervene in mergers and joint ventures, potentially blocking deals, or ordering that these are undone;
- applies to distribution arrangements, including in relation to e-commerce and online sales;
- applies to the licensing and enforcement of intellectual property rights, including patents;
- enables authorities to investigate markets and sectors, potentially imposing market or sector-wide remedies to address any identified competition concerns; and
- prohibits certain forms of subsidy and State aid, preventing state support from providing companies with advantages over their competitors.
Antitrust and competition law can be complex, with its application evolving as markets emerge and develop. New products and services can raise novel questions and issues. Developments may present opportunities but they also present challenges and compliance risks.
Working across our offices, our team is at the forefront of legal developments. We have a proven track record of enabling businesses to achieve their commercial goals in compliance with antitrust and competition law.
Clients worldwide trust and value our expertise and view the team as an extension of their own in-house legal function (with the added benefit of external counsel legal privilege).
