EU & Competition law

Kronbergs Čukste LEVIN has extensive experience dealing with a comprehensive range of competition law issues both at the EU and national level. We utilize a proactive approach to addressing our clients’ competition compliance requirements across a broad range of industries. Our EU law team has exceptional experience in liberalizing various industries pursuant to requirements of EU legislation, including the electricity market, gas market, railway market and postal services market. We have also advised governmental institutions and companies on EU funding matters, including representation of the clients at the European Commission in relation to financial corrections. We have a unique experience in representing our clients in the European Court of Justice, including court’s oral hearings.

EXAMPLES

• Representing the interests of a construction company in the 2021 "cartel case" before the Competition Council and all administrative court instances.
• Providing legal support to several state-owned companies regarding the application of the principle of competitive neutrality, including in relations with group companies.
• Legal assistance in the merger of consumer goods wholesaler JNG Investments OÜ (Estonia) and UAB “VILANDRA” (Lithuania), including preparation of the merger notification and obtaining a positive decision from the Competition Council.
• Provision of legal assistance in relation to transformation of AS “Latvijas Hipotēku un zemes banka” (Latvian Mortgage and Land Bank) with the aim to secure compliance with EU state aid rules. Legal assistance in the said case was provided by partner, attorney at law Zane Veidemane Bērziņa who took part in drafting the necessary document for submission to the European Commission as well as took part in meetings with representatives of the European Commission. Additional information is available at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-705_en.htm .
• Providing legal advice to a state owned joint stock company during a sectoral inquiry carried out by the Latvian Competition Council with respect to performance of roadworthiness tests.
• Providing legal advice to one of the leading booksellers in Latvia regarding possibly illegal activities of its competitor, including preparation and submission of a complaint to Latvian Competition Council and European Commission.
• Successful assistance to Daugavas Stadions (Daugava Stadium) in preparation of the state aid notification and the negotiation process with the European Commission, resulting in a decision of the European Commission approving allocation of the state aid in the amount of 47 million Euro for the reconstruction of Daugavas Stadions (Daugava Stadium), a multifunctional sports and culture facility located in Riga.
• Legal advice to Latvian Transit Business Association on matters related to alleged breach of the Republic of Lithuania in calculation of rail cargo transportation tariffs and related state aid matters.
• Successful representation to AS “Latvijas gaze” (Latvian Gas) during a dawn raid carried out by the European Commission as well as in a subsequent investigation by the European Commission.
• Successful representation of the producer of domestic appliances, Electrolux in proceedings initiated by the Latvian Competition Council, resulting in withdrawal of the charges. 

SERVICES

• Representation of clients in the Latvian Competition Council, administrative courts and the European Commission
• Legal support in cartel cases
• Legal support in cases involving prohibited agreements and other competition violations
• Preparation of merger notifications
• Assistance during dawn raids carried out by national competition authority or the European Commission
• Preparation of the competition compliance programs and training of client’s personnel
• Preparation of state aid notifications and coordination with the European Commission
• Assessment and amendment of agreements and practices of our clients in light of competition law requirements

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