Competition
“There is a driving force more powerful than steam, electricity and nuclear power: the will”. Albert Einstein
In the coming years companies will have to navigate their way through competition law that is undergoing a process of transformation. Three of the main trends in Spain are the sharp rise in the application of this law by the civil law courts, the emphasis of competition authorities on the oversight of public procurement and the renewed relevance of corporate compliance programmes.
Our team of specialists has extensive experience in infringement proceedings of competition authorities, merger control procedures and legal disputes relating to the application of competition rules.
We are increasingly active and have a position of leadership in advising regarding claims for damages on the grounds of infringement of competition law, in which we advise both claimants and defendants. We are also a leading team in providing legal advice on competition law to companies and business associations in the food and agriculture sector.
We regularly advise multinational companies and foreign law firms, in particular regarding Spanish merger control regulations and the foreign investment regime. We particularly have experience in the design and implementation of corporate programmes for compliance with competition law.
The broad range of matters on which we advise includes:
- Infringement proceedings brought by the Spanish or EU competition authorities, including assistance during home inspections.
- Merger control proceedings before the Spanish or EU competition authorities.
- Administrative proceedings regarding the foreign investment regime in Spain.
- Matters relating to government grants, including proceedings before the competition authorities.
- Court appeals before national and EU courts against rulings of the competition authorities.
- Civil litigation in competition-related matters, in particular the filing of and acting as defence counsel in actions for damages.
- Assessment of potentially anti-competitive business practices, such as commercial distribution systems.
- Corporate programmes for compliance with competition law.
“The lawyers empathise very well with the customer, making the relationship with us as customers very easy, comfortable and fluid”. Chambers and Partners, 2021
“Pedro Suárez and his team have in-depth knowledge of how the Spanish competition authority works and thinks. Excellent go to team for Spain which has one of the most sophisticated and active antitrust enforcers. Pedro knows how to navigate in delicate matters and looks beyond the pure legal technicalities.” Legal 500, 2021
