Competition, EU law and inward investment

Our highly-rated team is experienced in advising businesses on all aspects of UK and EC competition law and compliance, EU law and regulation, international trade and inward investment.

Competition and EU law

Competition authorities in the UK and EU are taking an increasingly tough approach to anti-competitive behaviour and practices. Cartel activity, collusive tendering, anti-competitive agreements and price fixing are all unlawful and anti-competitive, and are subject to strict laws and regulatory scrutiny. 

We can advise on:

  • Anti-competitive agreements and abuse of a dominant market position - under Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and the UK Competition Act 1998 and Enterprise Act 2000
  • The Block Exemption system - the Vertical Agreements Block Exemption, the Motor Vehicles Block Exemption and the Technology Transfer Block Exemption to applicable agreements
  • The competition law aspects of commercial ‘vertical’ agreements such as distribution agreements, supply agreements, manufacturing agreements, franchise agreements and IP/ technology transfer agreements
  • 'Horizontal' agreements, including cartels, price-fixing and other collusive behaviour and related sanctions
  • Competition-related investigations including "dawn raid" policies and procedures, and leniency applications
  • The competition law aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including the various thresholds/ tests for notification to the UK authorities and under the EC Merger Regulation
  • Sector-specific EC Regulations, such as the EU Code of Conduct on Computerised Reservation Systems
  • Commission consultations and liaising directly with the European Commission and OFT/ Competition Commission over specific enquiries and investigations
  • Issues arising from trade and the European internal market, including free movement of goods and services and parallel imports and
  • Public procurement, public tenders, collaborative tendering and collusive tendering. 


International Trade

Working increasingly with global and international businesses, and with UK businesses trading overseas, our experienced team can support businesses in trading internationally.

We can assist with:

  • Co-ordinating multi-jurisdictional and cross border transactions
  • International trade
  • International distribution and agency agreements
  • International brand protection and intellectual property.

We are members of the International Bar Association (IBA) and the International Network of Boutique Law Firms (INBLF).

We also work closely with a number of trusted and experienced overseas law firms with whom we have developed excellent working relationships over many years.


Inward Investment

The United Kingdom remains a leading destination and centre for inward investment, consistently out-performing its European neighbours with respect to the value of foreign direct investment coming into the country.

We have a proven track record in advising and supporting overseas businesses looking to establish themselves and/or to invest in the UK and throughout Europe. Operating from a convenient location close to London Gatwick Airport and with a broad range of language skills at our disposal, we are well placed to advise on and support inward investment opportunities.

We are a member of the UK Trade & Investment Inward Investment Advisory Network and have forged close links with various government and regional trade and advisory groups, including UK Trade & Investment, the South-East Economic Development Agency (SEEDA), Sussex Enterprise and Surrey Chamber of Commerce. 

We have a valued and established network of contacts with professional advisers, including law and accountancy firms, in Europe, North America and the Far East/Australasia, and our lawyers are experienced in dealing with both the European institutions and UK government departments.

In particular, we are able to assist foreign businesses with the following:

  • Setting up a UK company and/or corporate structure, or establishing a UK branch
  • Corporate finance and other sources of investment
  • Establishing business premises and negotiating leases or purchases of land 
  • Key commercial arrangements including supply, distribution and agency agreements and franchising
  • Employment advice with respect to foreign workers moving to work in the UK (and continued advice once established in the UK)
  • Dealing with the UK and EU authorities, including with respect to regulatory and competition law compliance, and other UK and EU requirements once trading.

For further information, please contact us on 08450 990045 and ask for Mark O'Shea or James Arneill or email Mark or James.