Competition law and EU/EEA law has implications for all commercial and public enterprises. Norwegian enterprises must observe two sets of competition rules: the Norwegian Competition Act and the competition rules laid down in the EEA Agreement. Both sets of regulations aim to ensure effective competition, and limits the freedom of operations for businesses, and of mergers and acquisitions.
Our lawyers have experience from the Norwegian Competition Authority, EFTA Surveillance Authority and the EU Commission. Our partners have been listed as leading lawyers in Norwegian and international rankings in PLC Which Lawyer? and the Norwegian financial newspaper Finansavisen. We work on an interdisciplinary basis with other areas of expertise at Haavind to assist major Norwegian and international companies in all aspects of competition law, from advisory services to legal proceedings. Our seven lawyers, four of whom are partners, assist with:
- Reviewing contracts
- Mergers and acquisitions, including drafting notifications to the competition authorities
- Cases concerning infringement of competition law (illegal cooperation or abuse of dominant position)
- Trustee assignments
- Investigations by the competition authorities (dawn raids)
- Drafting compliance programmes
- Complaints, lawsuits, etc.
Our expertise also covers state aid issues, and several of our lawyers have experience from work with state aid in the EU Commission and EFTA Surveillance Authority. Haavind advise public and private clients on these issues, and our assistance include the assessment of potential aid schemes, reviewing contracts, contact with public authorities, and notifications to the EFTA Surveillance Authority.