Competition/Antitrust
Europe Guide 2024 : Slovakia
Band 2
About
Provided by HAVEL & PARTNERS s.r.o., advokátní kancelář
Our competition law team is the largest in Czechia and Slovakia. We offer one comprehensive solution for both countries. Due to the location of our main offices (Praha, Brno, Ostrava, Olomouc, Pilsen, Bratislava), we are prepared to provide quick assistance to our clients in case of dawn raids regardless of the client location.
The competition team’s practice results have not only been recognized by our clients, but also market insiders. Aside from being awarded by Chambers and Partners – Europe for Competition/Antitrust as Band 1 (ranked department) with Robert Neruda as Band 1 and Lenka Štiková Gachová and Petr Kadlec as Band 3 ranked individuals, our competition team has become the absolute winner of its category in the Czech Law Firm of the Year Awards (2020, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013) and has been ranked among the highly recommended law firms in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. In addition, we and our members have been awarded for our practice in Czechia by GCR 100 – The Global Elite and by The Legal 500 as EU and Competition winner. In 2024 (as well as in 2023 and 2022) we have become the absolute winner of the Slovak Law Firm of the Year Awards in the Competition Law category. Our Slovak competition law practice was awarded as the largest in Slovakia in The Slovak Spectator review for the third year in a row.
The team is led by Robert Neruda, partner and former Vice-Chair of the Czech NCA.
Chambers Review
HAVEL & PARTNERS collaborates closely with the firm's office in Prague to assist clients with competition law matters, with a number of dual-qualified lawyers based in the Prague office. The law firm moves up this year on the back of its involvement in high-profile contentious mandates, including significant damages actions. The team predominantly advises on competition compliance matters. In addition, it acts on leniency applications, merger control mandates and challenges to authority decisions.
Work Highlights
- HAVEL & PARTNERS represented the Porsche Group in a Slovak Competition Authority investigation into an alleged cartel.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"We appreciate the clear and plain language, and the solid legal and commercial understanding. Our requests are answered in a short time."
"The reactions for our requests are immediate and agreed time deadlines have always been met."
"This team is really large and really competent."
"The firm has good coverage in the Czech Republic and Slovakia."
"The team is practical, and focused on commercial aspects and how we want to do things. It is always up to speed on novelties and tries to understand our business."
"We appreciate the clear and plain language, and the solid legal and commercial understanding. Our requests are answered in a short time."
"The reactions for our requests are immediate and agreed time deadlines have always been met."
"This team is really large and really competent."
"The firm has good coverage in the Czech Republic and Slovakia."
"The team is practical, and focused on commercial aspects and how we want to do things. It is always up to speed on novelties and tries to understand our business."
Notable Practitioners
Admitted to the Bar in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Lenka Gachová represents clients before the Slovak Competition Authorities in merger clearance filings and behavioural investigations. She also has experience in appeals against fines before the Slovak Supreme Administrative Court.
"She is an experienced lawyer."
Robert Neruda is dual-qualified in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. He assists clients with obtaining competition law clearance from both the Czech and Slovakian competition authorities for proposed joint ventures and other transactions. He also represents clients in appeals against fines for anti-competitive behaviour and in damages actions.
"He has a strong competition law background combined with deep knowledge of our industry. He is proactive, client-oriented, always reachable and fast-acting."
"He is the best competition law attorney we have worked with."
"Robert Neruda has excellent in-depth knowledge, good relationships with people, a very calming presence and a good image in the country."
Ranked Lawyers at
HAVEL & PARTNERS s.r.o., advokátní kancelář
Slovakia