EU Law, Competition and State Aid Legal Services
We provide specialist legal advice on EU competition, state aid, procurement, and regulatory compliance, helping clients across the public and private sectors manage complex cross-border challenges.
Holmes provides specialist legal advice on EU law, focusing on competition, state aid, procurement, and regulatory compliance. We support clients across both the public and private sectors with antitrust matters including merger control, cartel investigations, abuse of dominance, and state aid compliance.
Our team advises on all aspects of EU law, with expertise in the implementation of EU regulations, competition law, state aid procedures, and public procurement. We also provide strategic legal guidance on post-Brexit regulatory changes impacting businesses operating in the EU and UK.
Navigating EU Regulation and Policy
We help clients navigate the complex framework of European legislation, regulation, and standards. Our work includes providing insight into how EU policies are created, implemented, and enforced across EU institutions. This ensures that clients remain compliant while anticipating regulatory developments.
Comprehensive EU Competition and Antitrust Services
We advise clients across the full spectrum of EU competition law, including merger control and notifications, cartel investigations, abuse of dominance cases, and competition litigation. Our team also assists businesses with state aid compliance and challenges, recovery proceedings, and public procurement law across both EU and UK jurisdictions.
To ensure ongoing compliance, we conduct competition compliance audits and programs, review commercial agreements for antitrust risks, and advise on pricing strategies. Where regulatory scrutiny arises, we represent clients in dawn raids and investigations and provide guidance on antitrust complaints and enforcement actions.
In addition, we have significant experience in specialist areas, including criminal defence in competition cases, intellectual property and competition law, and broader EU regulatory advice.
Risks of Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with EU competition and state aid rules can lead to significant financial penalties and reputational damage. Our team has extensive experience advising clients from the private and public sectors, as well as multinational corporations, on complex cross-border competition and regulatory matters.
Recent Work
- Acted for a State institution in a landmark Commercial Court procurement matter, the first case before the Irish courts pursuant to Reg. 32 of S.I. no. 284 of 2016, European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations, 2016.
- Represented a client in a High Court decision concerning provisions of the MIBI Agreement and their compliance with EU Law.
- Successfully defended a national retailer in an enforcement action by the Data Protection Commission for alleged breaches of the ePrivacy Regulations.
- Resolved a cross-border cyber fraud claim in which €300,000 was misappropriated, securing full recovery of funds through swift legal intervention.
- Secured one of the first data protection-related injunctions in Ireland, against multinational corporation eBay, for unlawful processing of child data.
Contact Us
For tailored advice on EU law, competition, and state aid matters, our team is ready to help you navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges.
If you would like to discuss how Holmes can support your business, please get in touch with our team. We provide responsive, practical advice to help clients achieve compliance and protect their commercial interests in Ireland, the UK, and across the EU.
