Rafique Bachour

Practice Areas

Rafique is Freshfields' managing partner, based in Brussels. Prior to taking on the role he was global co-head of Freshfields’ general industries sector group, which is responsible for clients in the automotive, chemicals and other industries. Rafique specialises in antitrust and regulatory aspects of global M&A transactions, international antitrust investigations, and other behavioural and regulatory matters. He has extensive experience of managing large-scale transactions that require a global regulatory and merger-control strategy and co-ordinating multijurisdictional defences in international investigations and ensuing litigation.

He also acts for global financial investors, including sovereign wealth funds and state-owned enterprises, and advises on transactions involving institutional investors. He has unique experience in the Middle East region, where he regularly advises local and international companies on the antitrust and regulatory aspects of their national and international transactions.

Rafique speaks English, Arabic and French.

Professional Memberships

Solicitor, England and Wales; Solicitor, Ireland; Admitted to the Brussels Bar (A List)

Non-governmental adviser to the International Competition Network

Lectures in competition law at King’s College London, UK

Personal

LL.B. (Damascus), LL.M. in international business law (London), CPE and LPC (London) and PGDL in EC competition law (King’s College).