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: 13 JANUARY 2020
The European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen took office on 1 December 2019, following changes required as a result of the European Parliament rejecting three of the candidate Commissioners originally put forward.
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News: 09 JANUARY 2020
Global trends in private M&A 2020
We have recently produced a client presentation on global trends in private M&A. Our findings draw on an in-depth analysis of more than 1,250 private M&A deals that A&O has advised on globally over the last eight years, looking at deal dynamics, execution risks and deal terms. This has given us exceptional insight into global and regional trends in market practice.
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Publications: 20 DECEMBER 2019
Antitrust in focus - December 2019
This newsletter is our take on the antitrust developments we think are most interesting to your business. Mark Friend, partner based in London, is our editor for this final edition of 2019. He has selected:
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Publications: 12 DECEMBER 2019
Allen & Overy publishes seventh edition of The Business and Human Rights Review
Allen & Overy’s Human Rights Working Group is pleased to announce the publication of the seventh edition of The Business and Human Rights Review.
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)