Competition & Antitrust
Covering all areas of competition & antitrust law in CEE/SEE
Experienced lawyers in complex antitrust and competition matters
European and local enforcement authorities are increasing their scrutiny of companies in many sectors, particularly in matters involving competition law. Your business needs comprehensive advice to prevent unwelcome surprises down the road. We can help you assess and improve the compliance of your operations so you can focus on what is important for you: staying competitive.
Our track record of success in CEE/SEE means that we can make our relationships with competition authorities work for you so that even complex mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures get wrapped up smoothly. The same goes for EU merger regulation cases and notifications to national competition authorities across the region. We advise on effective structuring solutions, and propose, negotiate and implement remedial actions to obtain the necessary regulatory clearances.
Key experts
“Highlighting the firm’s coverage of diverse competition matters, one client notes: ‘They know us very well and provide us with a great level of service on competition law matters.'”
– Chambers Europe
“Clients appreciate the team’s ‘very thorough and strategic’ approach.”
– Chambers Europe
“Clients recommend the firm for its ‘very broad knowledge, to-the-point, clear recommendations and reliable partners.'”
“Another client also highlights the firm’s ‘value for money, deep antitrust capabilities and high availability.'”
– Chambers Europe
What makes our team the best antitrust & competition lawyers for you?
Our regional, integrated firm offers distinct advantages spanning the full spectrum of legal services.
- An established international law firm with 60+ years of experience in Austria and CEE/SEE
- A fully integrated team of jurisdiction-specific qualified lawyers across our offices in 13 countries.
- Collaboration and innovation across multidisciplinary teams and offices
- Excellent client satisfaction – responsive, client-oriented, and consistent
- Experience with complex and cross-border matters covering the full spectrum of legal services
- Knowledge and expertise to add value to deals across industries
Leading the legal field
Our lawyers are involved in key transactions and matters across the region, bringing their industry expertise and specialised business knowledge to add value to our clients’ work.
Merger control proceedings in large telecommunications acquisition
Complex Austrian competition law investigation
DIY chain acquisition of ~70 retail stores
Complex food wholesaler merger control case
Trusted antitrust & competition lawyers for competition compliance, litigation & merger control
Complex competition law investigation
Our team is working on a case which concerns the most extensive competition law investigation in the history of Austrian competition law enforcement. We are representing one of the largest and most heavily involved companies concerned. The case started with dawn raid operations following suspected bid rigging in the construction industry involving many companies over a long time period.
The case involves a complex interplay between competition law, procurement law and criminal law. After detailed investigations over nearly four years, the FCA requested the Cartel Court to impose fines against our client.
Telecommunications EU merger control proceedings
Our team advised and represented Deutsche Telekom and the mobile network operator T-Mobile Austria in EU Commission merger control proceedings concerning Deutsche Telekom/T-Mobile’s acquisition of UPC Austria. The transaction is one of the most prominent telecommunications cases notified to and assessed by the EU Commission. It is also one of the largest transactions ever in the Austrian telecommunications sector.
Representation before EU Commission on large acquisition
We advised the leading European DIY chain OBI on all competition law aspects of the acquisition of nearly 70 retail stores of its large rival (bauMax). We advised on all competition law aspects, including structuring the case, strategy regarding jurisdiction and representation before the EU Commission and (after a referral of the case) the national competition authority in Austria.
Austrian food wholesalers merger control
This case concerns one of the most complex merger control cases in Austria in 2022 (merger between two of the largest food wholesalers in Austria). We are advising and representing the buyer, Metro Group in Phase 2 merger control proceedings regarding Metro’s planned acquisition of REWE Group’s Austrian food wholesale business.
The transaction would lead to substantial combined market shares in certain local markets based on the established market definition practice of the Austrian Federal Competition Authority. We are arguing in front of the Austrian Cartel Court (Phase 2) that the authorities’ traditional market definition practice in the food wholesale sector does not reflect the current market reality.
Areas of specialisation
Abuse of Dominance
We can support you on a variety of allegations of abusive practices, including excessive, discriminatory and predatory pricing, discount and rebate strategies, margin squeezing, exclusive agreements, tying and bundling practices and access to essential facilities. As an experienced firm we advise you on the competition law compliance of your commercial policies and business strategies with the special obligations you have under national and European competition law.
Cartels
We handle the entire lifecycle of cartel investigations before the European Commission and national competition authorities for you – from the launch of an investigation by dawn raids, development of coordinated and efficient response strategies, leniency applications and settlements, to appeal and follow-on damages claims.
Competition Compliance
Trust us to develop, implement and monitor tailor-made competition compliance programmes; to conduct audits to identify and minimise legal risk early on; to prepare clear guidelines and training programmes on achieving competition compliance and the proper response to dawn raids and other investigations by the authorities.
Competition Litigation
We represent you before EU and national courts in litigation cases involving alleged abuse of a dominant position, cartels, restrictive practices and state aid. You benefit from our team’s strong track record in handling large-scale and complex EU competition law cases in several jurisdictions across the CEE/SEE region.
Vertical & Cooperation Agreements
Covering the full spectrum of competition law issues ensuing from various commercial arrangements with suppliers, distributors, customers and other parties, our team can help you structure effective distribution systems, including franchise, agency and licensing agreements. We can also advise on and ensure competition compliance of your cooperation agreements, including research and development, production and joint purchasing agreements.
Merger Control
Our team is regularly involved in EU merger regulation cases regarding EU competition law rules applicable to merger control as well as notifications to the national competition authorities across the CEE/SEE region. This means we can devise effective structuring solutions for your mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures and propose, negotiate and implement remedial actions, when needed, to obtain regulatory clearances and help you achieve your business goals.
Private Enforcement
You will benefit from our substantial experience in assisting clients on damage claims relating to national and EU competition law infringements and on other claims relating to European Union antitrust law and competition law before the national courts in the CEE/SEE region.
State Aid
We provide you with effective state aid support both at the EU and national level. We help you successfully navigate through complex acquisitions and disposals of state-owned assets, large-scale restructurings in the course of financial and economic turmoil, investigations by the authorities and challenging court cases, repayment of state aid and recovery procedures.
Get in touch
Whether you need an international team with extensive experience, Wolf Theiss can support your business goals through our profound legal practice.
Related experts
Related insights
Wolf Theiss advises INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund and Eco Baltia on signing of an agreement to acquire largest Polish PVC recycler Metal-Plast
Warsaw, 6 September 2023 – INVL Baltic Sea Growth Fund, the leading private equity fund in the Baltic States and its por...
Read more
One Rock Capital Partners acquires Constantia Flexibles with legal assistance from Wolf Theiss
Vienna, 21 August 2023 – Wolf Theiss acts as Austrian and Polish counsel to private equity firm One Rock Capital Partner...
Read more
Trèves Group acquires automotive business Greiner Perfoam GmbH and Greiner Perfoam s.r.o. from NEVEON with legal counsel from Wolf Theiss
Vienna, 17 August 2023 – Trèves Group, a France-based manufacturer of automotive parts and equipment, is set to acquire...
Read more
European Commission Adopts Merger Simplification Package – Cutting Red Tape for Merging Businesses?
On April 20, 2023, the European Commission (“Commission”) adopted a merger simplification package (“Pack...
Read more
Wolf Theiss advises Bain Capital Special Situations on the acquisition of a 20 % stake in IMS Nanofabrication
Vienna, 6 July 2023 – Wolf Theiss is advising Bain Capital Special Situations (“Bain Capital”) on all Austri...
Read more
Wolf Theiss advises DTEK Renewables International on the acquisition of an approx. 50MW renewable energy project in Romania
Bucharest, 22 May 2023 – Wolf Theiss acted as legal advisor to DTEK Renewables International, a growing investor and...
Read more
Wolf Theiss advises Farner International on The Skills Group becoming part of European agency group “Team Farner”
Vienna, 27 February 2023 – Vienna-based communications agency The Skills Group, one of Austria’s leading PR agenci...
Read more
Wolf Theiss advises ÖBAG on the extension of its partnership with América Móvil regarding Telekom Austria
Vienna, 7 February 2023 – Wolf Theiss advised the Austrian State Holding Company ÖBAG on the extension of its partnersh...
Read more
BNP Paribas Personal Finance sells its Bulgarian Consumer Finance business to Eurobank Bulgaria AD with legal support by Wolf Theiss
Sofia, 6 February 2023 – Wolf Theiss advised the leading European consumer finance group BNP Paribas Personal Finance on...
Read more
Wolf Theiss advises Farner International AG on partnership with Kobza Media Group
Vienna, 19 December 2022 – Vienna-based Kobza Media Group, consisting of KTHE, alpha_z, massgeschneidert and Darwins Lab...
Read more
Müller Transporte brings investor on board with legal assistance from Wolf Theiss
Vienna, 28 November 2022 – Fritz Müller, owner and CEO of successful Austrian logistics and transport company Müller T...
Read more
Wolf Theiss advises Jade Power in the EUR 71 million sale of its Romanian renewable energy portfolio to Enery Power Holding
Bucharest, 6 September 2022 – Wolf Theiss acted as local legal advisor in Romania to Jade Power Trust, a Canadian-based ...
Read more
Magenta creates largest Austrian private fibre optic network partnership with legal assistance from Wolf Theiss
Vienna, 25 August 2022 – Austrian leading telecommunications operator Magenta relied on the legal advice of Wolf The...
Read more
Is competition law getting greener? Horizontal cooperation and sustainability objectives
Our newest podcast focuses on the relationship between competition law and sustainability, and more specifically the quest...
Read more
Wolf Theiss advises Novalpina Capital LLP in the largest transaction in the betting & gaming sector in Romania
Bucharest, 5 July 2021 – Wolf Theiss was the legal advisor of Novalpina Capital LLP, a London based independent European...
Read more
Main practical changes brought by the new Slovak act on protection of economic competition
Directive (EU) 2019/1 to empower the competition authorities of the Member States to be more effective enforcers (the R...
Read more
Kartellrechts- und Internal Investigations-Experte Stefan Wartinger verstärkt das Wolf Theiss Competition Team
Wien, 12. April 2021 – Wolf Theiss baut seine internationale Competition-Praxisgruppe aus: mit Stefan Wartinger (33) wec...
Read more
Wolf Theiss Holmbergs Safety Systems Holding AB in the acquisition of the Romanian company Te-Rox Prod S.R.L.
Bucharest, 10 December 2020 – Wolf Theiss assisted Holmbergs Safety Systems Holding AB ("Holmbergs"), a Swedish company ...
Read more
Wolf Theiss advises MSD on the acquisition of the Austrian biotech company Themis Bioscience
Vienna, 27 May 2020 – Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, counts on the expertise of Wolf Theiss i...
Read more
Wolf Theiss advises Cellnex Telecom S.A. on its acquisition of CK Hutchison’s Austrian telecommunications tower assets as part of a Europe-wide transaction
Vienna, 16 November 2020 – Wolf Theiss has advised Cellnex Telecom S.A., Europe’s leading operator of wireless telecom...
Read more
Romania: Liquidity related state aid scheme now available for large enterprises and SMEs
On 7 October 2020, a liquidity state aid scheme became active in Romania worth RON 4 billion (EUR 820 million). Designed t...
Read more
Wolf Theiss berät bei Verkauf des Weltmarktführers TANN Group an Mayr-Melnhof Packaging
Wien, 23. Oktober 2018 – Wolf Theiss hat die Aktionäre der Eurasia Invest Holding AG beim Verkauf der TANN Gruppe an Ma...
Read more
Wolf Theiss completes asset deal for acquisition of ABC Data and ABC Data Marketing by ALSO Holding AG
Warsaw, 5 July 2019 - Wolf Theiss advised ALSO Holding AG, one of the leading providers of ICT distribution, solutions and...
Read more
Wolf Theiss advised Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces on its acquisition of Technistone
Vienna/Prague, 28 August 2019 - Wolf Theiss acted as legal counsel to Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces on its acquisition of ...
Read more
Wolf Theiss berät Kühne & Nagel Österreich bei Übernahme des steirischen Logistikers Jöbstl
Wien, 5. August 2019 – Logistik-Konzern Kühne + Nagel Österreich setzt bei der Akquisition des mittelständischen Logi...
Read more
Wolf Theiss strengthens its competition practice with Anca Jurcovan joining as partner
Bucharest, 15 January 2020 – Wolf Theiss has expanded its Competition practice by adding new Partner Anca Jurcovan to it...
Read more
Wolf Theiss expands in Slovakia: Bruno Štefánik and Marko Ernek join Bratislava office
Bratislava, 22 June 2020 – Bruno Štefánik and Marko Ernek will join the Bratislava office of Wolf Theiss as Counsel an...
Read more
Bulgarian competition protection commission launches a sector inquiry into the banking sector
On 7 March 2018 the Bulgarian Competition Protection Commission (“CPC”) announced a sector inquiry into the ba...
Read more
Cartel damages claims: European Commission guidelines to estimate the passing-on of harm caused by cartels
The number of cartel damages claims before national civil courts in Europe has dramatically increased over recent years. T...
Read more
Individual exemptions and selective distribution systems – The dos and don’ts in Serbia
Serbian competition rules dealing with agreements restricting competition are largely taken from and harmonized with EU co...
Read more
Bulgaria – Competition protection commission recommends amendments of the energy act concerning the heating sector
On 8 February 2018, the Bulgarian Competition Protection Commission ("CPC") issued a Decision in a Competition Advocacy pr...
Read more
Bulgaria – Amendments to the energy act in relation to REMIT to be reviewed by the competition protection commission
On 07 February 2018, the Bulgarian Competition Protection Commission ("CPC") initiated Competition Advocacy proceedings in...
Read more
Wolf Theiss advises Blackstone on the acquisition of EUR 1.64 billion CRH European Distribution Unit
Vienna, 18 July 2019 – Wolf Theiss advised the US multinational investment firm Blackstone on the acquisition of a €1....
Read more
The Serbian commission for the protection of competition publicises its aftermarkets study
The Serbian Commission for the Protection of Competition recently published a market study in which it assessed the state ...
Read more
Proposed new rules relating to actions for damages for breach of competition rules in Slovenia
The Ministry for Economic Development and Technology has recently published a legislative proposal for an amendment of the...
Read more