We have long recognised that antitrust, competition, regulatory and international trade issues are a critical part of global business. In recent years an ever greater number of transactions, commercial agreements and business practices have been subject to complex legal review. The liberalisation of regulated industries has also generated new business challenges and opportunities, often involving intricate legal issues. International trade developments affect many industries, again presenting both challenges and opportunities.

Our practice is uniquely well placed to respond to these and other key developments around the world, such as the introduction of stronger enforcement of antitrust laws in Asian countries and increased international co-operation between competition authorities. In total, we have more than 245 antitrust, competition and trade specialists based in 15 countries. Our team is one of the world's largest practices and is widely recognised as being at the forefront of the field.

Our clients are companies across the full spectrum of industrial, commercial and service sectors, financial institutions, governments and governmental organisations. We advise them on a complete range of antitrust, competition, regulatory and trade issues, including merger control, licensing and distribution, intellectual property, restrictive practices, abuse of dominance, cartel investigations and related damages claims, compliance programmes, state aid, liberalisation, privatisation, public procurement and trade, including World Trade Organization matters. We also have a substantial litigation practice, regularly appearing in the European and national courts on EU law, antitrust, competition and trade cases.

For more information please email Ian McAuley, head of business development, competition law practice.

News

Freshfields advises CVC Capital Partners on acquisition of majority stake in Autobar Group View

Freshfields advises Siemens on sale of assembly systems business to ASM Pacific Technology View

Briefings

US antitrust authorities release new Horizontal Merger Guidelines  View

Chinese Ministry of Commerce imposes conditions on Novartis for its acquisition of Alcon  View

Awards

Law firm of the year - Antitrust, competition and trade - Top Legal Awards (2009)

Competition law firm of the year - Who's Who Legal (2009)

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Brochures

Online competition compliance