State Aid
The law governing the aid that governments in the 27 EU Member States provide to the private sector is an increasingly important specialist area within EU competition law. Few can match our breadth and depth of experience. In fact, we helped to set the legal framework for state aid in the EU.
The recent spate of bank mergers and rescues has highlighted the importance of this area of law and has raised challenging issues around the interaction of state aid, merger control and government action to protect financial stability. Our international antitrust team has been at the heart of these issues.
Our understanding of the Commission's position in this area is reflected in our selection to update the Directorate General for Competition's report on the Application of the EC state aid law by the Member State courts, having drafted the original report in 1999.
The text book, EU State Aids, widely regarded as the leading authority in this area, is co-edited by two of our antitrust specialists, Tom Ottervanger and Leigh Hancher, and has now gone into its fourth Edition.
We advise clients throughout the complaint or approval process, and where required provide representation before the national and European courts.
We have wide experience of acting for governments and other public sector bodies, as well for aid beneficiaries and lenders on a variety of complex financial transactions giving rise to state aid issues.
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News & insights
Publications: 21 MAY 2020
Podcast: Internet of Things - key legal issues
The exponential growth in the use and complexity of the Internet of Things (IoT) in recent years has resulted in exciting developments for businesses and benefits for the consumer. The IoT relies on…
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Publications: 18 MAY 2020
State aid and transfer pricing: Fiat and Starbucks decisions
The European Commission has been using state aid law to challenge advance pricing agreements (APAs) given by some member states to multinationals over the last few years.
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Publications: 09 APRIL 2020
Covid–19 coronavirus and the EU State aid response
The European Commission (Commission) has adopted a temporary framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak (the Temporary Framework).
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Publications: 27 MARCH 2020
Please refer to our latest publication written by Aleksandra Kloczko and dr Malgorzata Dobrzynska-Dabska on the temporary State aid measures set out by The European Commission.
Read moreRecognition
Depth of expertise and skill, particularly for international companies operating in multiple jurisdictions.
Chambers Global 2018 (Competition/Antitrust)
Has a solid network, so their approach to cross-border matters is very strong.
Chambers Global 2018 (Competition/Antitrust)
The lawyers work with colleagues across Europe to keep us compliant with competition regulations.
Chambers Europe 2018 (Competition/Antitrust)
The team handles cross-border matters well, knowing that they need to manage different approaches in different jurisdictions.
Chambers Europe 2018 (Competition/Antitrust)
The network is something we appreciate; they work well as one team across borders.
Chambers Europe 2018 (Competition/Antitrust)