Competition/Antitrust
Europe Guide 2024 : Czech Republic
Band 1
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 maintains its position as a leading law firm in the Czech competition market with notable strength in high-profile follow-on damages matters. The team offers additional strength in behavioural investigations and merger clearance filings. It further assists clients with state aid notifications. The team is a popular choice with public sector clients, as well as clients from the transport industry. It is also well placed to assist clients with cross-border matters that also involve the Slovakian authorities.
Work Highlights
- HAVEL & PARTNERS advised T-Mobile on a European Commission investigation into a network sharing agreement with O2.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team have strong commercial awareness."
"We appreciate the strong team at HAVEL & PARTNERS for their capability and experience."
"The firm has a very good reputation for competition law."
"It is a top firm for antitrust."
"The team provides good coverage in the Czech Republic and Slovakia."
"The team have strong commercial awareness."
"We appreciate the strong team at HAVEL & PARTNERS for their capability and experience."
"The firm has a very good reputation for competition law."
"It is a top firm for antitrust."
"The team provides good coverage in the Czech Republic and Slovakia."
Notable Practitioners
Robert Neruda remains one of the leading experts in competition law in the Czech market. He particularly stands out for his work representing clients in significant cartel damages actions. He additionally assists clients with obtaining competition law clearance for proposed joint ventures and with compliance with the Significant Market Power Act and distribution issues. He also offers notable experience in matters involving the Slovakian authorities.
"His advice is trusted 100%."
"Robert Neruda has excellent in-depth knowledge, forms good relationships with people and has a very calming presence."
"He brings up interesting ideas and strategies to solve the matters."
"He is a top person to call."
Lenka Štiková Gachová represents clients in appeals against competition authority decisions. She also frequently advises clients on competition compliance issues.
"Lenka Štiková Gachová is a true expert in antitrust law. She is a recognised specialist in the market, has good business acumen, understands the business quickly and can use her knowledge."
"The cooperation with her was at a very high level. I would recommend her to all my business partners."
"She is responsive and easygoing, and tries to adjust to all our needs. She has also shown great skills during court hearings."
Petr Kadlec frequently acts for municipalities and other public sector clients. He represents them in bid-rigging investigations and challenges to authority decisions. He offers further experience in state aid compliance matters.
"We appreciate Petr Kadlec as a really capable and experienced expert with a high level of business understanding and a proactive approach."
Ranked Lawyers at
HAVEL & PARTNERS s.r.o., advokátní kancelář
Czech Republic
Members
Provided by HAVEL & PARTNERS s.r.o., advokátní kancelář
Industries
Provided by HAVEL & PARTNERS s.r.o., advokátní kancelář
Agriculture
Automotive
Banking and other financial services
Consumer goods
Energy
Entertainment, film and media
Food and forestry
Life Sciences
Metallurgy, mechanical engineering and chemical industry
Public sector
Retail and e-commerce
Telecommunications
Transport and logistics