EU & Competition Law

EU law, and particularly competition law, has gained increasing significance in Sweden and for Swedish companies in recent years. This is partly due to competition authorities receiving increased resources in the pursuit of violations, such as illegal cartels, among others. The regulations concerning so-called state aid are also receiving greater attention in Sweden.

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Competition law

Competition law is now a natural element in most business transactions (including mergers and acquisitions), and most types of commercial agreements require a competition law review. With Lindahl's broad experience across numerous industries, we always strive, in consultation with the client, to find practical and commercially adapted solutions to the competition issues we identify.

Our competition law practice spans a wide area but mainly consists of the following:

  • Competition law advice regarding prohibitions on anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position

  • Review of commercial agreements and business strategies

  • We represent clients before competition authorities (the European Commission and national authorities) in connection with mergers/acquisitions as well as cartel investigations and leniency applications

  • We represent clients before courts and arbitration panels in damages and other commercial disputes with a competition law connection

  • Providing 'Compliance Programs' where clients' operations are reviewed to ensure they comply with applicable competition legislation

  • Tailored training in competition law and related issues

EU law and regulatory issues

We have extensive knowledge in general EU law and long experience in advising on various EU legal matters. EU law is particularly significant in regulated and recently deregulated markets such as radio and TV, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, pharmacies, transport, energy, and gaming. By combining our expertise in EU and competition law with our deep and broad industry knowledge, we can assist our clients with relevant regulatory advice and act as counsel before both Swedish authorities and the European Commission.

Within the framework of our general EU legal practice, we offer:

  • Advice on issues concerning the free movement of goods and services

  • Advice regarding the compatibility of Swedish legislation with EU law and the interpretation of EU legislation such as directives and regulations

  • Assisting clients in contacts with authorities during licensing processes

  • Representing clients in administrative courts in disputes concerning regulatory issues

  • Tailored courses on regulatory issues in various industries

  • Advice on anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, and other trade law legislation, as well as representing clients before authorities and the European Commission

State aid

In the area of state aid, we assist both aid providers (public entities) and aid recipients (public or private companies). This can involve companies questioning the compatibility of aid with the TFEU before the European Commission, as well as other advisory services, including the following:

  • Advice to aid providers (public entities) in connection with the notification of state aid measures to the European Commission and representing aid providers in the European Commission's investigations

  • Advice to aid recipients (companies), including owners and financiers, and aid providers regarding the risk of repayment obligations

  • We assist clients (e.g., competitors of aid recipients, aid providers, and aid recipients) in court proceedings concerning alleged unlawful state aid

  • Tailored training in state aid