About

Provided by William Fry LLP

Our EU & Competition team consistently advises on the most complex EU and Irish competition and merger control law issues arising in Ireland each year. 

Our leading merger control practice continues to be one of the busiest in Ireland.  Notable merger control cases this year include advising

  • King Laundry Limited on its acquisition by Berendsen Ireland Limited, the longest-running Irish merger control case under the current regime. It was cleared with remedies;
  • Carlyle on the sale of Payzone, cleared unconditionally by the European Commission;

  • Apollo Global Management on its acquisition of PK Air Finance;

  • Tesco Ireland on the disposal of its petrol filling station estate to DCC; and

  •  FNZ's acquisition of Irish Progressive Services International Limited from Irish Life.

  • DCC plc on the sale of Fannin Compounding to Baxter Healthcare. 

Our specialist knowledge extends beyond 'traditional' competition law into areas such as State aid, public procurement and trade law.  We advised on long-running State aid litigation before the EU Courts (Aughinish Alumina) and are advising the Irish Government on matters arising from the Apple State aid decision.

We have a market-leading regulatory law practice. Notable matters include advising the Irish Communications Regulator, ComReg, on the regulation of broadband markets and on the most high-profile telecoms litigation before the Irish Courts in the past 12 months.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Competition/European Law - Ireland
1
Band 1
What the team is known for

William Fry maintains its position as a top-tier competition law firm in Ireland on the back of impressive activity assisting clients with obtaining CCPC approval for proposed mergers and joint ventures. The team is also experienced in behavioural matters, representing clients in market investigations and significant damages actions. Team members are also well regarded for their work on state aid matters and public procurement. The law firm acts for a number of public bodies, as well as advising private equity houses and clients from the technology and telecommunications sectors.

Work Highlights

Provided by William Fry LLP
  • William Fry defended a major truck manufacturer in the follow-on damages actions arising from the European Commission's decision in the trucks cartel case.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Cormac Little SC
1
Cormac Little SC
1
Band 1

Cormac Little SC is highly esteemed for his work on merger clearance mandates. He is also notably active in state aid matters.

"Cormac Little is Ireland's leading competition lawyer."

"He is the best competition solicitor in Ireland. It is a pleasure to work with him."

"He's a really practical and pragmatic lawyer."

"He was most engaging, effective and diligent in his dealings with us."

"He is very experienced, commercial and proactive."

Claire Waterson
2
Claire Waterson
2
Band 2

Claire Waterson frequently advises clients on merger control filings and on state aid issues. She also assists clients with public procurement matters.

Sheila Tormey
2
Sheila Tormey
2
Band 2

Sheila Tormey is particularly active in merger control notifications. She also has notable experience representing clients in sector inquiries and high-profile follow-on damages actions.

"Sheila just shines with experience."

"Sheila is very diplomatic, she knows what she wants, but will listen to everyone's views and try to convince them why they should go our way."

"She's a great communicator, who is absolutely on top of her brief, and understands everything."

"She is a strong communicator, who is vastly experienced and handles counterparties well."

Ranked Lawyers at
William Fry LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Ireland

Competition/European Law

Cormac Little SC
1
Cormac Little SC
1
Band 1
Claire Waterson
2
Claire Waterson
2
Band 2
Sheila Tormey
2
Sheila Tormey
2
Band 2

Members

Provided by William Fry LLP

Clients

Provided by William Fry LLP

ASICS UK Limited

Aughninish Alumina Limited

ComReg (Irish telecommunications regulator)

DCC plc

Department of Finance

Exponent Private Equity

Invesco PowerShares

SIRO Limited

SOLAS (Irish State Employment Agency)

Truck Manufacturer

Industries

Provided by William Fry LLP

Automobiles & Parts

Banks

Charities / Not for Profit

Commercial & Professional Services

Construction & Materials

Consumer Product Manufacturing

Education

Energy

Financial Services

Food & Drink Producers

Forestry & Paper

Government

Healthcare

Insurance

Media

Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences

Real Estate

Real Estate Finance

Retail

Software & Computer Services

Sports

Technology, Hardware & Electronics

Telecommunications

Transportation

Travel & Leisure

Utilities