Competition law
Our clients include some of the largest businesses the Central European market in various sectors. Competition regulation thus belongs to the key areas of our legal expertise and practice.
Notifications of concentration have basically become our second nature, given that we assist with these routinely. In addition, we also conduct in-depth analyses of dynamically developing markets including the online commerce and online advertising. These particular areas have not yet been examined in detail, even at the level of European competition authorities.
Our legal services include:
- Cartels – we provide timely legal support in preventing the formation of cartel agreements, as well as subsequent support in applying the leniency program. We also represent clients in dawn raids by competition authorities or in subsequent investigations by the authorities. We conduct negotiations with competition authorities on settlement terms that can significantly reduce any eventual penalties incurred by clients.
- Vertical agreements and block exemptions – we assist in drafting contractual relationships from a competition law perspective not only between competitors (horizontal relationships), but also within a single distribution chain (vertical relationships).
- Unfair competition and consumer disputes – we have long-term expertise and know-how in the field of consumer dispute resolution.
- State aid – we guide clients through the extensive and complicated regulations governing state aid and the use of European Union funds. We represent them in cases of unlawful state aid before the European Commission and provide legal support when applying for such aid.
Selected references
Sberbank merger – representation in the merger notification of Sberbank – one of the largest business acquisitions of 2015.
Concentration of Plus 7 dní, Trend Holding, Media Magazin, Centrum Holding and Petit Press – representation in the concentration notification delivered to the Slovak Antimonopoly Office.
Agreements restricting competition – representation of a renowned international IT company in a dawn raid and subsequent investigation of suspected cartel agreement by the Slovak Antimonopoly Office.
Assessment of shareholder agreements from a competition perspective - assessment of various shareholder agreements in several investment joint ventures - analysis of possible existence of joint control (or lack thereof). Setting up agreements in accordance with competition law.
Advice in connection with proceedings before the European Commission (state aid, infringement against the Slovak Republic).