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.
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: 05 OCTOBER 2021
In December 2019, the European Commission (the Commission) presented its European Green Deal, a set of policy initiatives aimed at making Europe climate-neutral by 2050. Margrethe Vestager (the…
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Publications: 27 MAY 2021
Antitrust partner Yvo de Vries edits major EU State aid handbook
Antitrust partner Yvo de Vries has co-edited, with Leigh Hancher and Francesco Maria Salerno, the sixth edition of EU State Aids, a leading practitioner guide widely recognised as a key resource for…
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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
Podcast: 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.
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)