Competition & Regulation

+ 32 other experts

Strategic competition advice for multinational clients, globally

… in enforcement actions and transactions, with an emphasis on Europe. Active across almost the entire spectrum of Competition and Regulatory law, our large, integrated Amsterdam/Brussels-based team handles multiple complex matters in parallel fashion.

We have experience in obtaining clearance of complex merger control cases involving potential remedies before the European Commission and other competition agencies worldwide. Our team has handled many high-profile, data-intensive cartel cases before the European Commission, and has a track record of getting fines annulled before the European Courts.

We have extensive experience of taking the lead in cross-border matters with tight cost control measures in place, and efficiently coordinate merger filings, often in numerous jurisdictions, worldwide. We are involved in all pending civil cartel damage actions in the Netherlands, and work closely together with our civil litigation specialists to assist our clients in their most complex matters.

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Recent Matters

3 January 2023

Scheybeeck sells a majority stake in BUKO Infrasupport and BUKO Waakt to Equistone

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27 October 2022

De Brauw advises AEGON on the combination of its Dutch operations with a.s.r.

De Brauw advised AEGON, a leading multinational life insurance, pensions and asset management company, on the combination of its Dutch operations with a.s.r., a leading Dutch insurance group. The deal is valued at EUR 4.9 billion. In connection with the transaction, AEGON and a.s.r. have agreed certain arrangements regarding the provision of asset management services by AEGON for the enlarged a.s.r. group and AEGON's governance rights in a.s.r., including the right to nominate initially two members to the supervisory board with one such supervisory board member having an affirmative vote for certain resolutions, including dilutive transactions and material M&A.The deal signifies a transformative transaction for both AEGON and a.s.r., creating a champion in the Dutch pension, life, and non-life insurance markets.
22 October 2022

Athora Netherlands to acquire WTW's PPI in the Netherlands

De Brauw is advising Athora Netherlands on the acquisition of WTW's premium pension institution (PPI) in the Netherlands. The parties announced on 18 October 2022 that they have agreed on Athora Netherlands' takeover of the PPI. The transaction is expected to close early 2023, subject to regulatory approvals and the consultation of employee representative bodies. After the closing of the transaction, the PPI will become an integrated part of Athora Netherlands' market leading Zwitserleven PPI. The combined scale and capability will provide the opportunity for greater innovation and enhanced services for clients and members.

Global Competition Review's 'European Law Firm of the Year 2021'

2021
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EXPERTISE ANCHORED AT THE HEART OF EUROPE

Our cross-border capability in Europe is second to none.

Over the years, we have earned a reputation for getting enforcement actions neutralised and complex transactions cleared. We collaborate closely with those law firms which form part of our network of Best Friends and together form one of the largest European competition practices in Brussels. We cover all of the major European jurisdictions and are ranked as the best by the legal directories in each of these jurisdictions.

More than 175 Lawyers
40+ Brussels-based lawyers
Across 7 EU Member States

Our Brussels Office

The team are legally sharp, practical and no-nonsense... the advice is always very precise. They understand what we want as a client.

Chambers Europe, 2021

Insights

2 February 2023

COMPETITION LAW IN THE DIGITAL AGE: BEST FRIENDS NEWSLETTER

This edition focuses on:
26 January 2023

2022 – looking back on a European digital year

2020 marked the start of Europe's Digital Decade, an ambitious policy programme that sets the groundwork for having a complete digital transformation of Europe by 2030. When first announced by the Commission, the programme threatened to be yet another drawn-out project, destined to be mired in political debate and unlikely to have any real-world impact for the foreseeable future. But a mere two years into the project, a different story unfolds: the European Union has kicked one of the most significant reforms in Europe into high gear. With no fewer than 13 fast-tracked legislative proposals, it looks like the Digital Decade will be completed in half of the expected time.
3 November 2022

Landmark ruling: construction exemption annulled. How to exit the nitrogen crisis?

All large-scale construction projects that take place in relation to infrastructure, housing and energy transition with limited nitrogen depositions are affected by this landmark judgment. Earlier judgments had already demonstrated that for such projects, an ecological assessment is decisive. This is all the more relevant after the annulment of the special exemption for emissions caused by temporary construction activities (partiële bouwvrijstelling). Construction projects could get back on track if, based on an ecological assessment, significant negative effects on Natura 2000 areas can be excluded.