Competition/Antitrust | Europe

A&O Shearman enters the top tier of the rankings this year based on notable activity in high-profile behavioural investigations and follow-on damages actions. The law firm has additional experience advising clients on merger clearance notifications and foreign direct investment filings, as well as state aid matters and competition law compliance.

With lawyers splitting their time between the firm's offices in Prague and Bratislava, HAVEL & PARTNERS is well positioned to handle phase II merger investigations and foreign direct investment filings before both the Czech and Slovakian competition authorities. It has further expertise in behavioural investigations, including into alleged cartels and resale price maintenance, as well as market inquiries in both jurisdictions. Team members also assist clients with the competition law compliace aspects of distribution agreements.

Thanks to its teams in Prague and Bratislava, Nedelka Kubáč advokáti is highly-regarded for its work on both transactional and behavioural mandates. The law firm defends clients in allegations of abuse of dominance and cartel involvement, as well as representing them in appeals against authority decisions and private enforcement actions. The team often advises clients on merger control filings, foreign direct investment notifications and the new foreign subsidies regime. The lawyers have further experience in state aid matters.

Čechová & Partners is particularly popular with clients from the pharmaceutical sector for advice on competition law compliance mandates. The law firm also represents clients in investigations into alleged anti-competitive behaviour. It further acts on merger clearance notifications.

Barger Prekop frequently acts for clients in behavioural investigations and market inquiries. The law firm also represents clients in damages actions and disputes around merger clearance decisions. It has further experience in state aid mandates and competition compliance queries.

The Dentons team in Slovakia is a popular choice with multinational pharmaceutical companies for advice on competition law compliance issues. The law firm frequently assists with queries around distribution agreements and pricing models. The team also acts on behavioural investigations, merger control filings and public procurement matters.

Kinstellar's Slovakian team is particularly active in merger control and foreign direct investment filings, often working alongside the firm's network of offices to handle multi-jurisdictional notifications. The team has additional experience in competition law compliance queries around distribution strategies and other commercial agreements, as well as in state aid matters.