SERVICES

Competition Law

In an increasingly interconnected market, companies face the challenge of adhering to complex competition laws that regulate fair market practices. Bartosik Svaby provides comprehensive legal support in this area, helping businesses navigate regulatory frameworks both at the national level and within European Union. Whether dealing with mergers, market dominance, or anticompetitive practices, we ensure that clients remain compliant with Slovak and EU competition laws.

Related Legal Services

Our services in this area include:

At Bartosik Svaby, we recognize that competition law poses unique challenges for businesses going through the complexities of market regulations, whether dealing with mergers, restrictive agreements, or dominance in the market. Our team of lawyers combines deep expertise with practical experience, ensuring that clients receive precise and effective legal support tailored to their specific needs.

In the area of concentration, we assess whether a proposed transaction, such as a merger, acquisition, or joint venture, requires notification to the relevant competition authorities, including the Slovak Antimonopoly Office or the European Commission. Our in-depth analysis helps avoid unnecessary complications and ensures that all regulatory requirements are met efficiently. Once the transaction is notified, we provide full representation throughout the procedure, guiding clients through the assessment and ensuring a smooth process.

In addition, we provide detailed contract analysis to identify potential risks of anti-competitive practices, including both vertical and horizontal agreements. For companies with a dominant market position, we provide comprehensive advice to ensure compliance with competition laws and to mitigate risks related to market dominance.

Our expertise also extends to representing clients in legal proceedings before competition authorities and in court cases related to unfair competition. With years of experience, our team is well-equipped to manage infringement complaints, leniency proceedings, and disputes regarding compensation for damages resulting from breaches of competition law.

We advise our clients also in the area of state aid on the application of state aid rules, assessing the compatibility of state aid with EU regulations, and preparing state aid applications.

Within the domain of Competition Law, our legal services cover especially the following:

Contract Analysis: Drafting and analysis of contracts to identify any risks of agreements restricting competition, focusing on vertical and horizontal agreements.

Assessment of the Obligation to Notify a Transaction: Legal evaluation whether a transaction needs to be notified to the Slovak Antimonopoly Office or the European Commission, ensuring compliance with relevant competition laws.

Transaction Notification: Notification of a proposed concentration to the competent authority and representation throughout the procedure for the assessment of the concentration.

Representation before Competition Authorities: Representing clients in procedures before the Slovak Antimonopoly Office and the European Commission, including initiating infringement complaints and participating in leniency proceedings.

Unfair Competition Litigation: Representing clients in court proceedings related to unfair competition, including claims for damages caused by breaches of competition law.

Dominant Market Position: Providing advice on obligations and risks for companies with a dominant market position, including strategies to avoid accusations of abuse.

State Aid Compliance: Advising on the application of state aid rules, assessing the compatibility of state aid with EU regulations, and preparing state aid applications.

Internal Compliance Documentation: Preparing internal corporate policies and compliance documentation concerning competition law to ensure regulatory adherence.

Selected
Reference Projects

Discover our notable competition law cases and services, guiding businesses through complex regulatory frameworks.

Emil Frey Group

ongoing

Legal assistance to Emil Frey Group, importer of Stellantis brands’ vehicles, including Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, and Abarth in Slovakia, focusing on structuring distribution networks compliant with competition rules, particularly rules concerning agreements restricting competition and abuse of dominance. Ongoing support includes regular advisory services on competition law compliance across various operational aspects.

Renault Retail Group

2019

Legal representation of Renault Retail Group in proceedings before the Slovak Antimonopoly Office (PMÚ) concerning the notification and approval of a concentration related to the acquisition of KESTLER, a commercial company operating as a concessionaire for Renault and Dacia vehicles. Services included preparing the concentration notification and comprehensive representation throughout the approval process.

Windsor Machine Group

2023

Comprehensive legal advisory to Windsor Machine Group, a global designer and manufacturer of custom head restraints and armrests for the automotive industry, regarding its obligation to notify a transaction as a concentration to any antimonopoly authority. The assessment encompassed a broad spectrum of jurisdictions where Windsor operates, including Slovakia, Poland, Portugal, Turkey, India, and Brazil.

AirExplore

2023

Legal advisory to AirExplore in assessing its obligation to notify the Slovak Antimonopoly Office in relation to the acquisition of its shares by Avia Solutions Group.

REMONDIS

2024

Legal advisory to German multinational company Remondis in assessing its obligation to notify the Slovak Antimonopoly Office the acquisition of Slovak and Czech businesses

LiV ELEKTRA

ongoing

Legal representation of LiV ELEKTRA, a company specializing in the construction, modernization, and repair of electrical equipment for power plants, before the Slovak Antimonopoly Office in proceedings contesting a decision that found the client engaged in anticompetitive conduct, imposing a fine of 776,200 EUR and a three-year ban on public procurement participation.

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Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries or further details about our services in Competition Law.

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