Competition Law

Competition law plays a critical role in shaping how companies conduct business domestically and internationally.

The principal aim of competition law is to maintain open, competitive markets. It can apply in many different ways – including regulating whether companies can merge and how they behave towards competitors, suppliers and consumers.

HCR Law has a team of specialist competition lawyers who regularly work with clients to solve their domestic and international competition law concerns. We can also bring in specialist colleagues to assist where appropriate.

Competition Lawyers

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Lizzie Judd

Lizzie Judd

It’s impossible to get bored in commercial law – whether I’m speaking to a retailer about implementing a new software system or a luxury jewellery brand about launching a new global website offering, I’m working with passionate clients who care about their work. Commercial law is also a highly relevant, cutting-edge area requiring a mix of skills from attention to detail and technical knowledge to being able to think of creative solutions and adapt to things as they evolve.

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Keep up with constant legal changes

As regulations and competition rules are frequently updated, businesses face a heavy workload in monitoring multiple sources of law and guidance because the consequences of non-compliance can be severe. Our experienced team support you with proactive, practical and commercially focused legal advice.

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Our recent experience

  • Advising a UK manufacturer of recyclable /sustainable grocery bags in the sale of their business to an international competitor and obtaining clearance from the UK Competition & Markets Authority
  • Obtaining clearance from the Competition & Markets Authority for a UK based tool manufacturer on the sale of its business to a US rival.
  • Successfully obtaining Phase 1 unconditional merger clearance in the UK, Poland and Germany in connection with the sale of the European mobile cranes business and eight other subsidiaries of a US public company to a Japanese company.

  • Representing a global technology provider on the competition law aspects of its hardware and software policies
  • Developing a competition law compliant distribution policy for the UK /EU subsidiaries of a US headquartered power tool company
  • Advising international Swedish conglomerate on competition law audit of their distribution policies
  • Representing a technology company in connection with a refusal by a competitor to licence software necessary for the client to compete in a downstream market.

  • Advising a SaaS supplier in relation to the acquisition of technology company involved in data infrastructure
  • Advising a US client over the acquisition of a UK defence contractor and making notification under the UK National Security & Investment Act 2021

  • Advising heating oil suppliers in relation to the CMA’s Market Study into Retail Supply of Heating Oil
  • Advising an electronic musical instrument manufacturer in relation to a CMA competition investigation into resale price maintenance and internet selling
  • Representing a major international software company in a CMA Market Study into Government ICT procurement

  • Representing a leading marine services company in relation to a public procurement dispute with a major port operator over the award of a €30 million maintenance dredging contract
  • Advising a leading IT supplier in challenging the award by a local/regional authority of a large ICT contract

Services from our Commercial team

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