Contact number
+353 1 639 5000About
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
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
- 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
"William Fry has been very good at managing our expectations throughout."
"William Fry is very good to work with."
"The team is attentive, up to speed with the latest developments, gives timely responses, and provides excellent customer service."
"There is no doubt that it is one of the pre-eminent practices in Dublin for Irish competition law."
"The lawyers are very commercially minded. They know how to keep the bigger picture in mind."
"William Fry has been very good at managing our expectations throughout."
"William Fry is very good to work with."
"The team is attentive, up to speed with the latest developments, gives timely responses, and provides excellent customer service."
"There is no doubt that it is one of the pre-eminent practices in Dublin for Irish competition law."
"The lawyers are very commercially minded. They know how to keep the bigger picture in mind."
Notable Practitioners
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 frequently advises clients on merger control filings and on state aid issues. She also assists clients with public procurement matters.
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
Ireland
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