Competition & antitrust

The efforts against anti-competitive behaviour are on the rise globally. Substantial fines imposed by competition authorities, civil actions for damages and reputational damage resulting from public and private enforcement are just some of the consequences of breaching the competition rules.

The Maltese competition rules are found in the Competition Act and are drawn along the same lines as EU competition law. Recent developments in Maltese competition law have moved to increase the risks associated with non-compliance. We are thus seeing a significant rise in the number of transactions that have been subject to legal review, and an increased need for high levels of diligence to stay within acceptable parameters.

Ganado Advocates’ antitrust experts are often involved in drafting and reviewing cross-border or national agreements to ensure compliance with EU and Maltese competition law. We assist clients, whether they are complainants or infringers, in investigations before the Office for Competition and represent them before the superior courts in public enforcement proceedings and private actions. In the field of mergers, we frequently advise and assist clients with the notification process before the Office for Competition. Our firm is also resorted to for advice on EU State aid law, particularly in complex transactions and cases in the energy, waste, transport, health and travel sectors.

We work closely with our colleagues in several of the other Ganado Advocates practice areas and draw on the firm’s resources to meet clients’ overall requirements, in particular, in respect of employment, corporate finance and tax, investment services and funds, litigation and dispute resolution, banking and finance, and corporate and M&A.