Antitrust/Competition
A globally integrated practice
Our German Competition group is integral to Allen & Overy’s U.S.-European Antitrust group and offers German and international clients expert advice in European and German antitrust law, plus representation before the EU Commission and the German Bundeskartellamt.
We act in some of the most high profile antitrust cases and have developed a sound and practical understanding of how the European Commission works. We have good relationships with officials at all levels in Brussels, Germany and in all the jurisdictions where we practise antitrust law. You benefit from our experience of working at the cutting edge of antitrust policy.
Our focus
We regularly represent clients in antitrust proceedings and investigations, judiciary review of agency decisions and civil damage claims in Germany, all other European jurisdictions, the U.S. and worldwide, including:
- German and EU merger control proceedings; multiple filings in cross-border transactions with the relevant merger control authorities; judiciary review of agency decisions;
behavioural matters, including German and European cartel and other investigations as well as abuse of dominance cases; - private enforcement litigation (Germany being one of two preferred jurisdictions in Europe, next to the UK);
- EU state aid and EU and German public procurement matters.
We advise clients on the antitrust compliance of their business
- structuring co-operation agreements and joint ventures, distribution systems, license and other agreements
- designing and conducting tailor-made compliance training and audits, setting up and reviewing full compliance management programs.
Strategy advice
The right antitrust strategy can have a major impact on commercial negotiations and in some cases, is critical to the success of a deal. In view of the now typical follow-on damage suits, choosing the right strategy in behavioural investigations will determine the company's risk exposure and for publicly quoted stock corporations, the board's liability. A proactive antitrust strategy via third-party complaints and court actions may allow a company to stop competitors, suppliers or customers infringing its market position. In some cases this may even be required under corporate law (capital protection measures).
Clients often ask us to oversee an antitrust strategy internationally.
News and insights
News: 20 February 2024
Allen & Overy advises Uniper on sale of Hungarian gas fired power plant Gönyű to Veolia
Allen & Overy is advising the international energy company Uniper SE, Düsseldorf ("Uniper") on its sale of 100% of shares in its subsidiary Uniper Hungary Energetikai Kft. ("Uniper Hungary").
Publications: 25 January 2024
Draft EU Foreign Investment Screening Regulation sets out more comprehensive screening regime
On 24 January 2024, the European Commission (EC) published its proposed reform of foreign investment screening in the EU. The proposal introduces more comprehensive rules for the review of foreign…
News: 19 January 2024
Allen & Overy advises palero on the acquisition of GTMB Metallteilfertigung and GTB Bahntechnik
Allen & Overy has advised private equity investor palero on the acquisition of GTMB Metallteilfertigung GmbH (GTMB) and GTB Bahntechnik GmbH (GTB) from Mettec-Holding GmbH.
Publications: 18 July 2023
11th Amendment of German Competition Act enters into force, introducing significant reforms
The 11th amendment to the German Act Against Restraints of Competition (the Amendment) has been accepted by the German parliament on 6 July 2023 and will enter into effect following the Federal…
Related campaigns
Global antitrust enforcement report
Recognition
The team offers a high level of expertise, very good and very personal support on mandates, and pleasant and always addressee-oriented communication.
Chambers Europe 2023: Competition / European Law; Client
The team is regularly involved in complex and often cross-border merger control mandates, including Phase II proceedings, drawing on its excellent global network.
Chambers Europe 2022: Competition / European Law
Close international network of offices.
JUVE Handbook 2022/2023: Antitrust