Competition/European Law
Europe Guide 2024 : Portugal
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+351 21 381 7400About
Provided by Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados
Our team provides assistance to its clients in all areas of European and national law on competition: merger control, horizontal and vertical agreements, abuse of dominant position and State aid and civil liability lawsuits (private enforcement), before the Competition Authority and the European Commission, as well as in litigation before the European courts and the national courts.
In this area we draw attention to our experience in the application of competition rules to the most varied sectors of the economy, in particular to regulated sectors, such as Energy and Natural Resources, TMT, Banking and Financial Services, Transports, Roads and Rail (air, sea and land), Health and Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, as well as Retail and Consumer Goods, and Tourism and Leisure.
We also have vast experience in the main areas of European Union law (internal market, tax harmonisation, structural funds, public procurement and common agricultural policy), accompanying public entities and national and foreign companies in their relations with the institutions of the European Union and protecting their interests in litigation before the European courts.
Our activity also covers cases brought before the European Court of Human Rights, where we have represented individual and legal persons in cases of violations by the Portuguese public authorities of the rules of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Chambers Review
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is one of the leading law firms in Portugal for contentious competition law matters. The team is highly esteemed for representing clients in investigations into collusions and no-poach agreements, as well as acting for clients on subsequent appeals against Portuguese Competition Authority decisions and on follow-on damages actions. It is also notably active in contentious and advisory state aid matters, and further assists clients with obtaining competition law clearance for proposed corporate transactions. The firm's client roster comprises companies from diverse industries such as financial services, energy and retail, and includes both public and private entities.
Work Highlights
- Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados represented Modelo Continente in an appeal against EUR700 million in fines for alleged involvement in a hub-and-spoke cartel.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team has high expertise."
"The team was well organised and communicated well; we appreciated having a one-stop shop dealing with everything."
"We have felt really comfortable with the team so far, it did a good job in collecting information and was very competent in addressing the issues."
"It has a highly skilled and wide-ranging team, which offers the clients a sense of confidence."
"The team has been able to demonstrate a great balance between pragmatism and a problem-solving approach."
"The team has high expertise."
"The team was well organised and communicated well; we appreciated having a one-stop shop dealing with everything."
"We have felt really comfortable with the team so far, it did a good job in collecting information and was very competent in addressing the issues."
"It has a highly skilled and wide-ranging team, which offers the clients a sense of confidence."
"The team has been able to demonstrate a great balance between pragmatism and a problem-solving approach."
Notable Practitioners
Carlos Botelho Moniz is noted for his longstanding presence in the Portuguese competition market and assists clients with challenging fines.
Joaquim Vieira Peres stands out for his work representing clients in appeals against PCA decisions and fines. He also defends clients in behavioural investigations and follow-on damages actions. He has further experience in merger control filings.
"Joaquim Vieira Peres is very knowledgeable about the subject."
"He has a very good mind for addressing the issues."
"We would highlight his knowledge, client focus and understanding of client needs."
"He is the best."
Eduardo Maia Cadete assists public sector clients with state aid matters, including both contentious and advisory work.
"He is excellent."
Luís do Nascimento Ferreira moves up in the rankings on the back of his broad practice that sees him frequently assist clients with merger control filings and state aid questions, as well as acting for them in challenges to competition authority decisions.
"He has an impressive capacity to focus on solutions, which are prepared with his team so that the client only needs to take well-informed decisions. The level of services and outcome were above expectations."
"He is a very promising lawyer, he is one of the most respected young names."
Pedro de Gouveia e Melo represents clients in appeals against competition authority fines and assists with competition law compliance mandates.
"He is highly skilled."
Ranked Lawyers at
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados
Portugal
Members
Provided by Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados
Head of Department
Head of Department