Our highly-regarded EU & Competition Group helps clients achieve their business objectives while complying with competition law.
We regularly handle multi-jurisdiction merger control filings and advise clients on a wide range of commercial practices, including on- and off-line distribution, licensing, and co-operation arrangements. We also represent clients in antitrust investigations, including assisting clients to train relevant employees to avoid unlawful practices. We are among the select group of firms with in-depth knowledge and experience of the of State aid rules, and our expertise in EU litigation is second to none - Bird & Bird lawyers have been involved in more than 100 cases before the European Court of First Instance and the European Court of justice, as well as participating regularly in antitrust litigation before national courts.
We are acknowledged leaders in the field of competition law , providing practical and commercial advice to support our clients' strategic objectives. While we cover all sectors, our particular focus lies in the media, communications, electronics, information technology, life sciences, sport, banking & financial services, postal services and aviation & aerospace sectors. Combining our broad legal expertise with our deep knowledge of these industries, we frequently deliver innovative legal solutions that are go to the cutting edge of industry developments.
Clients value our ability to provide calm and practical legal analysis that is sensitive to their underlying business concerns. We pride ourselves on being easy to work with, while acting robustly to defend or promote your interests.
For more information about how we can help you, please contact head of the EU & Competition Group, Jose Rivas.
Latest accolades
"We are very pleased that the Court has confirmed PRS's long standing position that it did not participate in any concerted practice. We received an excellent service from Bird & Bird and our position was argued tirelessly by José and his team throughout the proceedings."
Jonathan Aitken, Head of Competition & International Affairs, PRS for Music, 2013
"I have been very pleased with the service that I received from Bird & Bird. Everyone in Denmark thought it was unlikely that as a relatively small business owner I would be able to take on the European Commission, the Danish Government, and the national state funded rail company. However, due to the excellent litigation skills of Bird & Bird's Competition team in Brussels I was able to do so, and win!"
Jorgen Andersen, owner of Danish bus company Grahundbus, 2013
"The team presents an excellent sounding board, which has a positive impact on our business strategy." "It's a very multi-jurisdictional team, so is well positioned to handle international cases."
Chambers & Partners Europe 2012
"Bird & Bird’s ‘proactive’ competition group is particularly experienced in the technology sector."
Legal 500 EMEA 2012
"They are also capable to adapt when needed to changes from the initial plans and to organise secondary legal teams in each of the countries within the B&B footprint quickly and with excellent competence. That is very valuable especially in complex and multinational proceedings such as the ones we are used to deal with"
Anonymous client
"We had the best references about them in competition work and the contacts previous to instructing them showed they were a very capable team both in the technical aspects as well as dealing with the needs and idiosyncrasy of the client"
General Counsel of a major telecommunications company
"They gave speedy - virtually real time - and practical responses to all our questions. In delivering their counsel they provide both the purist and the practical views within a range of options focused on the client’s desired outcome. They test and retest this ‘client outcome’ at regular intervals through the case to ensure they are always delivering exactly what is required"
Anonymous client
"Clients recognize the team as 'probably the best in the market for the interface IP/competition law'. The given advice is always "creative and extremely reliable".
Legal 500 Deutschland, 2010/2011