Competition: EU
Global Guide 2024 : Belgium
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+32 2 737 94 00About
Provided by Slaughter and May
We advise on all aspects of European competition law.
In particular, we handle notifications to the European Commission under the EU Merger Regulation and represent clients facing investigations and complaints under Articles 101 and 102 TFEU, as well as equivalent national laws. We also advise on the rules on State aid, as well as monitoring other EU developments and maintaining regular contact with Commission officials.
Our extensive international experience and relationships with specialist competition practices around the world mean that we are exceptionally well-placed to deal with cross-border cases and issues raised by the increased co-operation between competition authorities.
Our Brussels team includes about 20 specialist competition lawyers, and works as an integral part of our .
Chambers Review
Slaughter and May's competition teams in Brussels and London often work closely together on high-value mergers that are likely to attract considerable scrutiny from the CMA and the EC. The law firm has also acted on antitrust investigations, often involving alleged breaches of Article 102. Slaughter and May's lawyers additionally assist third-party interveners with EGC cases seeking to overturn merger clearance decisions or appeals of EC abuse of dominance decisions taken against IT sector clients.
Work Highlights
- Slaughter and May represented Booking in the EU and UK merger control proceedings of its USD1.6 billion acquisition of eTraveli.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Slaughter and May has a combination of technical capabilities with practical application in our market that makes it effective for us. It is very well connected with lawyers across Europe so the firm adds a lot of value."
"The team is quickly able to get enough of the technical curve and the client service is every bit as good as you would expect from it."
"Slaughter and May really does see itself as working with us as part of a team."
"It provides excellent pragmatic and commercially focused advice and has huge depth of knowledge."
"There are commercially focused, knowledgeable lawyers throughout the team."
"Slaughter and May has a combination of technical capabilities with practical application in our market that makes it effective for us. It is very well connected with lawyers across Europe so the firm adds a lot of value."
"The team is quickly able to get enough of the technical curve and the client service is every bit as good as you would expect from it."
"Slaughter and May really does see itself as working with us as part of a team."
"It provides excellent pragmatic and commercially focused advice and has huge depth of knowledge."
"There are commercially focused, knowledgeable lawyers throughout the team."
Notable Practitioners
Anna Lyle-Smythe acts as head of the Slaughter and May Brussels office where she draws upon her skill to assist clients from a broad range of sectors, including technology and aviation. She is admitted to practice both in the UK and in Brussels, and she often advises on merger control filings made to the CMA or to the EC. She has further experience acting for clients on cartel and abuse of dominance investigations.
"Anna Lyle-Smythe is very much a trusted adviser and someone we turn to for important matters."
"She works phenomenally hard, has a huge amount of drive and is super intelligent. The team really likes working with her."
"Anna Lyle-Smythe is excellent. She is smart, a clear communicator and strategic. I think very highly of her."
"She is an impressive operator."
Moving up in the rankings is Jordan Ellison who is a Brussels-based, English law-qualified lawyer advising on phase II merger investigations undertaken by the CMA or by the EC. He also stands out for his work representing clients in antitrust investigations or appealing EC abuse of dominance decisions taken against IT companies.
"Jordan Ellison is very impressive in all aspects, very rounded and very good to work with."
"Jordan Ellison is very smart and knowledgeable about the law. He is a really nice person to work with."
"It has been super useful to have Jordan Ellison on these strategic matters."
"It is his ability to cut to the chase really. Competition law is a very particular beast where you can get caught up in the detail and jargon but what I find with him is that because he has such good understanding of the marketplace, he can put the legal advice into a practical context."
"I really enjoy working with him. He is an extremely good client manager and always follows up."
Kerry O’Connell makes her debut in the rankings this year with positive market support and a solid practice advising clients on antitrust investigations and merger clearance proceedings before the European Commission, including phase II proceedings.
"She is personable and sensible. What really stands out is her ability to express things clearly and quickly."
"Kerry O'Connell is very thorough and collaborative."
"Kerry O'Connell is excellent as well. I am really impressed by her."