Firms To Watch: EU and competition

Spigulis & Kukainis Attorneys at Law assists clients with the competition aspects of transactions, including merger notifications to the Latvian Competition Council. The team is headed by Arturs Spigulis and Matiss Kukainis.

EU and competition in Latvia

Cobalt

Cobalt’s EU and competition practice group handles high-profile abuse of dominance and state aid cases, together with complex acquisition-related merger clearances and sanctions compliance issues, assisting a range of public authorities and private entities. Competition compliance matters, notably bid rigging, are also key areas, with several recent mandates arising from the transportation and construction industries. Uģis Zeltiņš has experience representing clients before the CJEU as well as domestic courts. Managing partner Dace Silava-Tomsone is noted for her experience in cartel and merger control proceedings. Senior associate Ivo Maskalāns has experience representing clients before the Latvian Competition Authority.

Responsables de la pratique:

Uģis Zeltiņš


Autres avocats clés:

Dace Silava-Tomsone; Ivo Maskalāns; Kristīne Rāviņa; Sandija Novicka


Les références

‘Cobalt seems to have a smoother working relationship with public authorities than some of the other firms we have instructed. This has been helpful to us.’

‘Casefile management is very organised and easy to follow.’

‘Uģis Zeltiņš and Sandija Novicka are always on top of national and EU case law developments.’

Principaux clients

Tet SIA


Ministry of Climate and Energy of the Republic of Latvia


Latvijas Nacionālais sporta centrs SIA


A.C.B. AS


Latvenergo AS


Latvijas dzelzceļš VAS


Lidl Latvija SIA


Moller Baltic Import SE


Air Baltic Corporation AS


Rīgas satiksme PSIA


Principaux dossiers


  • Successfully represented passenger carrier Hansabuss Latvia in a preliminary inquiry by the Latvian Competition Authority into suspected bid rigging.
  • Advised BaltCap on the acquisition of HansaMatrix.
  • Representing Abora SIA in an appeal against the Competition Council’s decision to fine construction companies for bid rigging.

Ellex

Ellex is instructed by an impressive set of multinational companies and public groups across the spectrum of EU and competition cases. In addition to compliance issues, dawn raids, and cartel investigations, the team also has considerable experience acting in antitrust cases and merger clearance proceedings before the Competition Council. Practice head Līga Merwin has over two decades' experience in local and EU competition law. Head of IP Mārtiņš Gailis is also a key player in the competition space, especially in mandates involving unfair competition and merger proceedings. Edvijs Zandars is noted for relevant regulatory and compliance matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Līga Merwin


Autres avocats clés:

Mārtiņš Gailis; Edvijs Zandars


Les références

‘Team of professional and experienced lawyers who have excellent theoretical and practical knowledge of EU competition law.’

‘Līga Merwin provides an exceptional feeling to the client that their interest will be secured and respected.’

Principaux clients

Balcia Insurance


Orkla Confectionary & Snacks


Eesti Gaas


Volvo


Japan Tobacco International


Maxima group


BTA Baltic Insurance Company


Association of International Research-based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers


Connexus Baltic Grid


AstraZeneca


The Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company


Public Utilities Commission


Henkel


LG Electronics


Bolt


DIO (packaging deposit system operator in Latvia)


Latvijas Energoceltnieks


STRABAG Group


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing a major grocery chain operator in Latvia in its appeal of a merger prohibition decision issued by the Latvian Competition Council.
  • Representing Latvijas Energoceltnieks in a cartel investigation.
  • Successfully assisted a group of drinks manufacturers with the development of a packaging deposit system in Latvia.

Sorainen

Sorainen‘s competition and regulatory team specialises in antitrust and competition investigations, merger clearance proceedings, and compliance issues. The firm is instructed by a number of major investors, developers and corporates. The team is spearheaded by Ieva Andersone, who focuses on a spread of competition and regulatory matters, as well as infringement and violation of competition neutrality proceedings. Andersone is capably supported by managing partner Eva Berlaus, and finance and insurance practice head Rūdolfs Eņģelis. Senior associate Marika Grunte actively advises on competition risks.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ieva Andersone


Autres avocats clés:

Marika Grunte; Eva Berlaus; Rūdolfs Eņģelis


Les références

‘Individual approach to clients, strong competency in competition issues.’

‘The team is really spending time to understand the situation and the issue to be addressed. The process is organised in such a way that there is a preliminary review of the statement and findings, and then next steps are agreed, and the team shows in which directions it is safer to conduct the business idea.’

‘Honesty about the timeline so that we can adjust our plans and further processes.’

Principaux clients

Bite Latvija


Gren Latvija


Vēja enerģijas asociācija (Wind Energy Association)


BaltCap


Stena Line Scandinavia AB


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised BITE Latvija on obtaining the rights to use frequencies enabling 5G services.
  • Advised Gren Latvija on the acquisition of green energy company Bioeninvest.
  • Assisting the Latvian Wind Energy Association with a lobbying process which is related to the possible adverse effect on competition which could occur if a new regulation applicable to the wind energy production sector is adopted.

TGS Baltic

TGS Baltic‘s large EU and competition practice group excels in regulatory and compliance work, alongside abuse of dominance, state aid, suspected cartel infringement, and merger clearance proceedings. The firm counts several major pan-Baltic corporates, as well as a notable range of public sector clients, among its clients. Experienced competition, corporate, commercial, and M&A expert Andra Rubene, and EU and competition specialist Māra Stabulniece-Veldruma jointly lead the department. Vladlena Rudusāne-Simiča is particularly active in EU and competition matters surrounding telecoms and media regulations, while associate Elīza Siliņa covers a range of matters, including merger clearance proceedings and state aid.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andra Rubene; Māra Stabulniece-Veldruma


Autres avocats clés:

Vladlena Rudusāne-Simiča; Elīza Siliņa


Les références

‘TGS Baltic Law Firm is, in our opinion, one of the leading providers of legal assistance in the entire market.’

‘The legal team is responsive and goal-oriented, which ensures the fastest possible result. Every situation is handled professionally to achieve the most beneficial solution for the client.’

‘High-quality work and results.’

Principaux clients

Riga City Council


SIA Rīgas Nami


BaltCap


Latvenergo AS


Auto-Bon Oy


Viaplay Group AB


Euroaptieka SIA / Euroaptieka farmācija


Sadales tīkls AS


DPD Latvija SIA


Novartis Baltics SIA


Boehringer Ingelheim


European Commission (in cooperation with SPARK Legal, MILIEU)


Certex Latvija SIA


Phillip Morris Latvia SIA / Philip Morris International


University of Latvia


Principaux dossiers


  • Successfully represented the Riga City Council and Rīgas nami SIA in a private enforcement claim requesting damages against construction company SIA VELVE, which has settled with the Latvian Competition Council and admitted participation in a construction cartel.
  • Assisted investment funds managed by BaltCap with merger clearances in the Baltics and Romania in relation to the take-private acquisition of London Stock Exchange FTSE AIM-listed Xpediator plc.
  • Assisted Auto-Bon Oy, a Bassadone Automotive Nordic group company, with merger clearance by the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian competition authorities of its acquisition of the Opel import business in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland from LänsiAuto.

VILGERTS

A ‘highly qualified team and very efficient’ team, VILGERTS handles a broad scope of contentious and non-contentious matters, with sector specialisms spanning from IT and telecoms, to construction, transportation and retail. Jūlija Jerņeva and Debora Pāvila lead the practice; the former handles merger control and abuse of dominant position proceedings, while the latter specialises in cartel investigations, as well as more general regulatory and compliance matters. Counsel Charles Clarke, who has appeared before the European Commission, as well as numerous competition authorities, is another key name to note.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jūlija Jerņeva; Debora Pāvila


Autres avocats clés:

Charles Clarke


Les références

‘Highly qualified team and very efficient. As compared to other law firms, Vilgerts is aimed at solutions and, where possible, avoids lengthy, costly, theoretical memos.’

‘Jūlija Jerņeva and Debora Pāvila are both very knowledgeable, well respected in the market and a pleasure to work with.’

‘Charles Clarke is a great addition to the team, he stands out in the market because of his excellent communication skills and state aid expertise.’

Principaux clients

Air Baltic Corporation AS


Capital AS


Dinotrans SIA


Iepirkumu grupa SIA


If P&C Insurance, Latvian branch


Latvian Association of Optometrists and Opticians


Lursoft SIA


Merks SIA


Pasta komersantu biedrība (SIA Omniva, SIA DPD Latvija, SIA Itella Latvia, SIA Venipak)


Rimi Latvia SIA


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Merks SIA in its appeal of the imposition of a €2.69m cartel fine by the Latvian Competition Council.
  • Representing Moller Mobility group in its appeal of the imposition of a €7.4m cartel fine by the Latvian Competition Authority.
  • Representing Conexus Baltic Grid before the Latvian court in proceedings concerning the Latvian Utility Regulator’s imposition of revised regulated price caps.

Eversheds Sutherland Bitans

Eversheds Sutherland Bitāns expertly advises domestic and international companies on the competition elements of acquisitions and transactions and large state aid projects involving EU funding. Other areas of strength include FDI regulation and abuse of dominant position proceedings. Māris Vainovskis co-heads the practice alongside Gunta Lokastova. Senior counsel Edijs Poga has extensive experience across EU law and state aid issues. Dmitrijs Ņemirovskis also assists with the competition aspects of cross-border M&A transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Māris Vainovskis; Gunta Lokastova


Autres avocats clés:

Edijs Poga; Dmitrijs Ņemirovskis


Principaux clients

LMT Retail & Logistics SIA


KPMG Baltics AS


Virši-A AS


BRC Eesti OÜ


Principaux dossiers


  • Secured an unconditional clearance from the Competition Council for LMT Retail & Logistics SIA’s acquisition of the ELEKTRONIKA-SERVISS group of companies, comprising ELEKTRONIKA-SERVISS SIA, ServiceNet LV SIA, Speleta AS and ServiceNet EE OÜ.
  • Advising KPMG Baltics AS on all aspects of EU state aid law arising out of, or in connection with, the Capital Markets Development Accelerator Fund Baltic SME IPO Fund, which has been designed and launched under the auspices of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to facilitate equity financing for SMEs in the Baltic States.
  • Secured an unconditional clearance from the Competition Council for BRC Eesti OÜ’s acquisition of Intrac Holding AB.

WALLESS

WALLESS’ competition and regulatory team assists with the competition law aspects of mergers and acquisitions, as well as public procurement and tender processes. Clients comprise major banks, corporations, developers and manufacturers. The practice is headed up by Andis Ozoliņš, who has experience spanning EU and state aid matters. Head of real estate, construction and public procurement Kristīne Gaigule Šāvēja is also a key contact for cross-border public procurement matters. Zane Eglīte-Fogele is also recommended.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andis Ozoliņš


Autres avocats clés:

Kristīne Gaigule Šāvēja; Zane Eglīte-Fogele


Les références

‘Small but capable law firm.’

‘Very experienced professionals.’

‘Zane Eglīte-Fogele: super professional in M&A and competition, responsive and experienced.’

Principaux clients

Eco Baltia vide SIA


Šiaulių bankas AB


Siemens Mobility Oy


Consortium “BERERIX”


Škoda Vagonka A.S.


Škoda Transportation


TAV Airport group companies


Edge autonomy


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Šiaulių bankas AB on the competition law aspects of a merger.
  • Advising major Baltic waste management group company Eco Baltia vide SIA on merger notification and competition law compliance issues.
  • Advised Škoda Vagonka on public procurement issues concerning the supply of 32 electric trains and related EU law matters.

Kronbergs Cukste Levin

Kronbergs Cukste Levin is noted for its ‘clear, professional and practical’ approach to state aid cases and disputes surrounding the potential abuse of dominant position, as well as broader regulatory and compliance work. The department advises a range of clients, from logistics companies to blue-chip technology corporations, and is highlighted for its experience representing clients before a variety of national courts, the Competition Council, and European Commission. Reinis Papulis leads the team, leveraging his previous in-house experience at the Competition Council. Associate Aleksandrs Kuznecovs is also noted, as are Lauris Rasnačs, Valters Kronbergs and Vineta Čukste–Jurjeva, who regularly support the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Reinis Papulis


Autres avocats clés:

Aleksandrs Kuznecovs; Lauris Rasnačs; Vineta Čukste-Jurjeva; Valters Kronbergs


Les références

‘For over three years Kronbergs Čukste Levin has provided us with clear, professional and practical legal advice 24/7 on various issues.’

‘Excellent communication, effective actions with clear understanding of the possible impact on the situation.’

‘Vineta Čukste-Jurjeva is an excellent attorney who really goes above and beyond for her client.’

Principaux clients

Reckitt Benckiser


Electrolux


Skonto Buve


Riga Municipal Education, Sports and Culture Committee


Latvian Railway


Latvenergo (national electricity provider)


Ministry of Transport


Microsoft


Gefco


Bridgestone


DHL


Linstow


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting in a major alleged cartel case.
  • Representing Latvenergo, Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety and AS Unified Post before the Competition Council regarding an agreement about cooperation in the electric car charging subscription service market.
  • Advising LDZ CARGO on the compliance of a proposed railway cargo transportation tariff project.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal

PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal‘s competition and EU law practice group has considerable experience handling public procurement and competition neutrality cases, with further capabilities covering state aid issues, cartel investigations, and dawn raids. While the firm assists several large private companies, the team is particularly adept at advising state institutions. Māris Butāns leads the team, capably supported by senior associate Dita Dzērviniece.

Responsables de la pratique:

Māris Butāns


Autres avocats clés:

Dita Dzērviniece; Benno Butulis


Principaux clients

Riga Freeport


Latvijas valsts meži AS


Medon SIA


City of Ventspils


University of Latvia


Liepājas autobusu parks AS


European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (in cooperation with SIA PwC)


Berlin-Chemie Menarini Baltic SIA


Magnum Medical AS


ERGO Insurance SE Latvian branch


Coca Cola HBC Latvia SIA


Coca Cola HBC Lithuania UAB


Coca Cola HBC Estonia OU


Ropaži Municipality


Riga Municipality


AC Kurzemes vārds


Principaux dossiers


  • Carried out a risk assessment of apotential Latvian liquefied natural gas terminal project, AS Skulte LNG Terminal, on behalf of the Ministry of Economics.
  • Assisting Marcegaglia Carbon Steel SPA, as a buyer, with the acquisition of SIA Severstal Distribution.
  • Represented Liepājas autobus parks in cartel investigations.