Our Competition & Regulation Department combines technical expertise with a practical problem-solving approach to legal issues. We are consistently ranked in the top tier of Irish advisers for Competition & Regulation work by leading directories including Chambers Europe and the Legal 500 EMEA.
Areas of expertise include:
- Competition Law (anti-trust and monopolies)
- Merger Control
- Public Procurement
- State Aid and Public Undertakings
- Telecommunications, Media and Advertising
- Energy and Transport
- Food Law, Product Safety and Consumer Law
- Free Movement of Persons, Goods, Services and Capital
- Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing
- Immigration and Nationality
- Customs and Trade Law
- Export Control Law
We represent clients regarding notifications and competition investigations before the Irish Competition Authority and the European Commission. We have wide experience of practising EU and competition law outside Ireland, especially in Brussels and the UK, having represented clients before the UK's Office of Fair Trading, the European Commission, and the European Court of Justice. We also focus on cartel investigations.
Our expertise in merger control notifications under Irish competition legislation and the European Union Merger Control Regulation is widely acknowledged. We frequently co-ordinate multi-jurisdictional merger control filings.
We advise Irish and international clients across a range of regulated sectors, including telecoms, broadcasting, energy and transport.
Our experience in both EU and Irish public procurement law has proven invaluable to contracting authorities (including utility companies) in running projects in compliance with applicable EU and Irish rules.
We are experienced in all areas of EU law, including free movement issues, rights of establishment and customs and trade law. We also advise on both the EU and Irish export licensing regimes for dual-use and military goods.
On contentious issues, we work with our Litigation & Dispute Resolution Department to achieve a positive outcome for clients.
Our experience includes advising / acting for:
ComReg (the Irish Communications Regulator) in relation to a number of regulatory enforcement matters, including representing ComReg in High Court proceedings designed to enforce eircom’s compliance with obligations as an operator with significant market power and eircom’s cross-appeal.
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.
University College, Dublin (UCD) on the public procurement aspects of Project Gateway, a major mixed-use development of significant architectural merit on a landmark site at the major entrance to UCD’s Belfield campus.
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.
Advanced Totes in successful High Court and Supreme Court judicial review proceedings against a public procurement decision of Bord na gCon.
We are consistently ranked as one of the leading Competition & Regulation law firms in Ireland.
Department
Sources say: “The advice is practical and comprehensive, and the team includes tough negotiators. The lawyers are among the best in their field.”
Chambers Europe, 2013 - Competition & European Law
William Fry provides ‘top-quality service’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2013 - EU & Competition
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
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
Cormac Little
Cormac Little is "great at dealing with clients and other firms – it is a real pleasure to work with him.”
Chambers Europe, 2013 - Competition & European Law
Cormac Little ‘consistently gives precise and business-savvy advice’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2013 - EU & Competition
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
According to a source, Claire Waterson is "tremendous: responsive, clear and pragmatic. She is the reason I keep going back to the firm.”
Chambers Europe, 2013 - Competition & European Law
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