The economic downturn is inevitably prompting an increase in public and administrative law disputes, as financial challenges put contractual agreements between private companies and the authorities under strain, but strategies do exist to help manage them, says Ricardo Guimarães, partner at Sérvulo & Associados in Lisbon.
With cost and timing issues a key factor for parties’ in litigation and arbitration, the efficient use of expert financial witnesses can have a positive impact on both, insists Fernando Cuñado, a Director in KPMG’s Madrid-based EMEA Forensic Dispute Advisory Services Group
Since its creation in 2007, Spain’s Comisión Nacional de la Competencia (CNC) has had evident success in raising not only the public awareness of competition issues but also thestakes for companies engaged in anti-competitive behaviour. Much of the energy driving the CNC emanates directly from its high profile President, Luis Berenguer, say competition lawyers.
This year will see changes to Portugal’s Competition Act that may impact merger control, notification and judicial review, says Nuno Ruiz, Head of EU & Competition at Vieira de Almeida
The Spanish Competition Authority’s market reports are challenging the way businesses operate but are also prompting debate around their compilation
Competitor challenges play a vital role in ensuring that the European Commission (EC) maintains a level playing field across Europe, says Javier Ruiz Calzado, Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins Global Antitrust and Competition Practice.
The State aid question is clearly now highly relevant to companies, believes José Luis Buendía, Head of Garrigues’ Brussels office.
Law firms must continue to listen to their clients, focus on creativity and invest in getting to know specific business sectors, an audience of senior law firm marketers and communications professionals heard at a recent Iberian Lawyer debate
The financial downturn has significantly affected public procurement procedures in Portugal, says José Luís Esquível of Lisbon public law boutique Esquível Advogados, with pressure on contractual and legislative frameworks and demand for greater flexibility in order to conclude projects.
The downturn is not lessening the impact or application of competition law principles
