Our experience includes advising / acting for:
HMV on its acquisition of five Zavvi music stores in Ireland from the provisional liquidator who agreed to operate these shops pending mergers approval. The Competition Authority granted its approval 8 days after notification.
Aughinish Alumina in relation to challenging European Commission Decisions finding a hydrocarbon tax exemption to be unlawful State aid. We successfully represented Aughinish in an application before the General Court for annulment of one Decision and before the European Court of Justice in a subsequent appeal.
Railway Procurement Agency on the EU and Irish competition and public procurement aspects of the establishment of an integrated ticketing system for transport for the Greater Dublin Area (similar to London’s Oyster card).
Horizon Technology Group on its €101m sale to Avnet Inc. We advised on the notification of this transaction to the European Commission under the EU Merger Regulation and achieved clearance in Phase 1.
Emap on the merger control aspects of the sale of a number of radio stations, including the national station Today FM, to Communicorp. This involved a Phase 2 investigation and divestment by the purchaser.
We are consistently ranked as one of the leading Competition & Regulation law firms in Ireland.
Department
Sources say: 'William Fry is an important resource for me and my company – we regard it as a crucial part of our team.'
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Competition/European Law
John Handoll leads William Fry’s competition team, which some clients regard as 'the best in Ireland'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - EU & Competition
William Fry is applauded for its 'extensive knowledge' and 'client-focused advice'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - EU & Competition
William Fry offers 'prompt responses and practical advice'.
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Competition/European Law
William Fry wins praise for 'in-depth industry knowledge' which ensures 'lawyers hit the ground running, providing valuable input from the outset'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – EU & Competition
Clients are unanimously delighted with the service they receive from William Fry: 'We get a fantastic response from the firm, and the advice is beautifully tailored to our needs.' The team has genuine strength in depth, housing as it does senior, highly respected lawyers and up-and-coming associates...the trio have worked together for six years, and have formed one of the most cohesive competition teams in the Irish market. According to commentators, 'the group's method, timing, ability and pragmatism place it easily among the top Irish competition law practices.'
Chambers Europe, 2010 – Competition/European Law
Team
John Handoll
Department head John Handoll is much admired for his rounded competition practice.
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Competition/European Law
John Handoll is ‘an expert in his field’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - EU & Competition
Sources say that 'he has an incredible understanding of competition law, from both the legal and the commercial perspectives'.
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Competition/European Law
John Handoll is ‘among the best competition law specialists.’
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – EU & Competition
Clients find Handoll to be ‘refreshingly pragmatic.’
Chambers Europe, 2010 – Competition/European Law
John is listed in the 'International Who’s Who of Competition Lawyers' (2010) and the 'International Who’s Who of Public Procurement Lawyers' (2010).
Cormac Little
Cormac Little is held in high regard by sources. He 'literally wrote the book on public procurement' and has expertise in merger control and antitrust.
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Competition/European Law
Cormac Little is 'business-friendly yet meticulous'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - EU & Competition
Cormac Little is ‘technically excellent’ and ‘user friendly’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - EU & Competition
Cormac Little is prasied for 'his responsive and businesslike attitude and his ability to turn work around quickly'.
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Competition/European Law
Cormac Little is another valued member of the group, and clients say he is an ‘unassuming, low-key lawyer, who quietly gets the work done with great efficiency.’
Chambers Europe, 2010 – Competition/European Law
Cormac is listed in the 'International Who’s Who of Competition Lawyers' (2010) and the 'International
Who’s Who of Public Procurement Lawyers' (2010).
Claire Waterson
Claire Waterson 'is fabulous: she's responsive, on the ball, pleasant and incredibly knowledgeable on procurement and EU law issues,' sources report.
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Competition/European Law
According to sources 'her advice is cogent and thorough and her drafting is excellent'.
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Competition/European Law
Claire Waterson is considered ‘totally on the ball.’
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – EU & Competition
Clients describe Waterson as ‘100% reliable.’
Chambers Europe, 2010 – Competition/European Law