Competition Law

Competition law protects effective competition on the market. Markets are constantly changing due to digitalization, technological advances, globalization and social change. Competition law is adapting to these changes and is evolving rapidly. Competition authorities are using an ever-expanding range of powers to investigate the conduct of companies, while there has also been an increase in the private enforcement of competition law rules.

Breaches of competition law can have serious consequences, including the payment of an administrative sanction in the amount of 10% of a company’s annual turnover, exposure to claims for damages and collective litigation, as well as obstacles to participation in public procurement procedures.

We are aware that, in addition to knowledge, experience and familiarity with competition law trends, knowledge of the market on which a company operates is essential for quality advice. The latter enables us to identify the specific features and challenges of a company and provide tailored and effective advice to the client.

We offer our clients comprehensive services in the area of competition law:

• advice on contractual relations – in vertical relations with contractual partners and in horizontal relations with competitors;
• representation in proceedings before the Slovenian Competition Protection Agency and the European Commission concerning infringements of the prohibition of restrictive agreements and the abuse of a dominant position;
• advice in M&A proceedings (ensuring the coherent organization of due diligence, advising on the competition law aspects of transaction documentation and integration planning);
• representation in merger notification proceedings before the Slovenian Competition Authority and the European Commission;
• representation in court proceedings (private actions for damages for breach of competition law and collective litigation);
• advice and representation in relation to state aid regulations (co-financing agreements, state aid schemes or individual state aid, and disputes concerning reimbursement of funds);
• advice on how to ensure the compliance of day-to-day business operations with competition law, including the training of staff.