Competition/European Law
Europe Guide 2024 : Portugal
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+351 213 197 300About
Provided by PLMJ
PLMJ has the experience to assist our clients in any competition or European Union law matter, regardless of size or complexity.
In the area of competition law, we advise our clients in proceedings relating to possible cartels, abuses of dominant position and vertical restraints, as well as in merger control and state aid cases.
The team has been involved in some of the most important competition cases involving companies operating in Portugal in sectors as diverse as finance, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications and food distribution. Our experience includes dealing with cases before the Portuguese Competition Authority and the European Commission, as well as litigation and arbitration.
Our team is experienced in implementing compliance programmes. In addition, we provide ongoing support to our corporate clients' commercial activities to identify and prevent potential risks of breach of competition rules. This advice also focuses on competition law issues, in particular the rules applicable to individual restrictive business practices, such as selling at a loss or refusing to sell.
In the area of European Union law, we have extensive experience in areas such as the Structural Funds, the Common Agricultural Policy and the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital. We frequently represent clients before the European Commission and the courts of the European Union.
Chambers Review
PLMJ continues to be one of the top competition law teams in Portugal, with notable experience in damages claims and class actions. The firm is highly esteemed for its work on Portuguese Competition Authority behavioural investigations, often involving allegations of cartel involvement and other restrictive practices. It additionally represents clients in challenges to fines imposed by the authority. The law firm offers further expertise in merger clearance notifications and state aid mandates. It is a popular choice with clients from the financial services, transportation and FMCG sectors.
Work Highlights
- PLMJ defended Volvo in follow-on damages actions based on the European Commission's decision in its investigation into the trucks cartel.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"PLMJ is a top-tier law firm with a strong competition team at all levels."
"PMLJ knows exactly what's happening and moves ahead to find ways and solutions."
"The PLMJ team is arguably the best competition team in Portugal."
"PLMJ provides the best support that we can have."
"We have consistently been impressed by the breadth and depth of the PLMJ team."
"PLMJ is a top-tier law firm with a strong competition team at all levels."
"PMLJ knows exactly what's happening and moves ahead to find ways and solutions."
"The PLMJ team is arguably the best competition team in Portugal."
"PLMJ provides the best support that we can have."
"We have consistently been impressed by the breadth and depth of the PLMJ team."
Notable Practitioners
Ricardo Oliveira remains one of the most highly regarded competition lawyers in Portugal for his ability to handle significant damages actions. He is also highly esteemed for his work in behavioural investigations and merger control filings.
"We feel very confident in the level of assistance that Ricardo has provided throughout the process."
"He is a leader who inspires confidence in the client."
"Ricardo is arguably the best competition lawyer in Portugal. He is extremely bright and successfully coordinates the competition team at PLMJ."
"Ricardo is a brilliant lawyer. He is definitely the biggest reference in competition law in Portugal."
"Ricardo is simply excellent - he is a great leader of a great team."
Rita Aleixo Gregório moves up in the rankings on the back of her involvement in high-profile damages actions. She also offers notable experience in behavioural investigations and state aid matters.
"We feel very confident in the level of assistance that Rita Gregório has provided throughout the process."
"Rita is an extremely competent competition lawyer."
"Rita is a fantastic lawyer. She has excellent knowledge of competition topics but with a practical approach and is attentive to the client's needs and concerns."
"She manages clients well, has a very good grasp of all information flows and details, and integrates economic substance easily into legal submissions."
"Rita's input is always highly valued."
Alexandra Henriques assists clients with investigations into allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and with damages actions.
"She is clearly a rising star."
"Alexandra is an outstanding lawyer, who is very sharp."
"She is a great lawyer for competition topics."
"Alexandra is incredibly helpful, responsive and easy to work with."
Ranked Lawyers at
PLMJ
Portugal