competition, eu & foreign trade

our eu & competition expertise

antitrust

Schoenherr has built up a notable track record in antitrust cases (cartels and abuse of market dominance) and non-litigious competition matters (cooperation agreements, JVs, distribution agreements). The team has participated in virtually all noteworthy antitrust cases in Austria in the recent past, with a similar track record in other CEE/SEE countries. The group has been involved in several cross-border investigations by the EC. Schoenherr also carries out comprehensive compliance programmes for clients from a wide range of industries to limit the antitrust exposure.

merger control

Our team is widely recognised for its expertise in European and national merger control. In Austria, for example, we handle roughly 20 % of all filings submitted to the Austrian authority. With our strong network we act as a one-stop-shop for clients in multijurisdictional transactions. The team is regularly retained for notifications to the European Commission (EC) and has demonstrated its ability to "get things done".

FDI control

In the increasingly important field of foreign direct investment reviews, Schoenherr helps clients navigating the national regimes affecting cross-border investment and to consider issues upfront in order to mitigate any potential risks. We have experience in assessing foreign investment regulatory risk and managing foreign investment reviews, including transactions involving a wide range of industrial sectors.

state aid

Schoenherr's eu & competition team also features one of Austria's most prominent practices in state aid. At the peak of the financial crisis, the team advised a number of Austrian banks in how to apply and implement the EC's complex framework notices as well as the Austrian anti-crisis legislation. We have a similar track record in advising on the pertinent legal questions in the current COVID-19 crisis. We routinely assess innovative projects on compliance with state aid rules and handle complex issues of ad hoc aid and recovery procedures, as well as problems involving private enforcement of state aid violations.

UTP

To improve the position of SMEs in the food supply chain, the EU has adopted legislation that bans certain unfair trading practices. Corresponding national rules are often significantly stricter than the EU counterparts. We help our clients navigate this patchwork and structure their contractual relationships accordingly. Should stakeholders take issue with the practices of our clients, we have significant experience in defending them before authorities and courts.

EU law

From its Brussels office Schoenherr's eu & competition team advises clients on all aspects of EU law, such as assisting companies in respect of Member State measures which conflict with EU law, and in particular the EU fundamental freedoms (e.g. free movement of goods, freedom of establishment and free movement of services). This includes, among others, advice in relation to nationalisations, failure of Member States to implement EU law, and measures of Member States restricting access to their markets

our services

• merger control / multinational filings
• EU law
• foreign direct investment assessments and clearances
• antitrust investigations / litigation
• compliance programmes
• strategic cooperation / joint ventures
• distribution agreements
• state aid
• structuring compliant trade practices