Competition

CERHA HEMPEL Dezso & Partners

CERHA HEMPEL Dezso & Partners's competition law team is recognised for its strong relationships with the Hungarian Competition Authority, enabling effective coordination and swift interaction with case handlers. The team provides high-level legal services in complex cartel, antitrust and merger cases, supported by robust cross-border capabilities through Cerha Hempel’s offices in the CEE region, offering clients a seamless, one-stop solution. The practice also delivers comprehensive compliance services, including training, and has recently expanded its focus to include consumer protection. The team is co-headed by Tamàs Polauf, who brings extensive experience in Hungarian and international competition law, and Márton Kocsis, a seasoned regulatory expert active in the e-commerce and pharmaceutical sectors as well as managing high-profile cases and mergers, representing clients across the healthcare, telecoms and construction industries.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team of Cerha Hempel is very professional, with a particular emphasis on the area of competition/antitrust. They are able to react in a very short time and on a professional level with knowledge of the jurisdiction and decision-making thanks to their many years of experience in the field. They have very good communication skills not only for legal but also for business topics. The collaboration with this team is very smooth and feedback from them always comes without undue delay and with rigorous solutions.’
‘They are highly experienced in the field they work in. Their communication skills and professionalism make them different from their competitors. They are able to provide legal opinions not just acceptable from a legal point of view, but also are able to advise for the purposes of business needs.’
‘The atmosphere is very positive, team members are absolutely helpful. They are friendly and supportive.’
‘I worked with Tamás Polauf and Boglárka Priskin recently. I am fully satisfied with both of them. They do a thorough analysis of the legal case and the possibilities. Both of them are well prepared for the meetings and support me with answers within a short time.’
‘Very convenient, fast and effective communication and cooperation.’
‘The lawyers are available, professional, kind and very skilled. There was no case that we were unable to discuss and solve with them.’
‘The main strength of the team is its size and its ability to provide detailed legal advice on complex issues in a timely manner.’
‘When working with Márton Kocsis, we were always sure that he puts the client's best interest as priority number one. Tamás Polauf's right-to-the-point attitude was very useful during tough negotiations and his calm is very much appreciated in difficult situations. Boglárka Priskin is a great expert in consumer protection matters, her deep knowledge of the law and also the caselaw is extremely valuable.’

Key clients

OTP Bank Plc.
PHOENIX Group (BENU Magyarország Ltd., PHOENIX Pharma Ltd., ENELIS Informatikai Ltd.)
MOL Plc.
Duna Group (Duna Aszfalt Ltd., Vakond Ltd., Vakond Via Ltd., Duna Group Európa Ltd., Magyar Vakond Ltd., NHB Ltd.)
Alza Group (Alza.cz a.s. and Alza.hu Ltd.)
CCC Group (CCC S.A., CCC Hungary Shoes Ltd.)
Knauf Insulation Ltd.
HERVIS Magyarország Ltd.

Work highlights

Advising Phoenix Group on various competition law issues during its daily operation and representing PHOENIX in an overall sectoral competition supervision proceeding before the Hungarian Competition Authority.
Advising and representing MOL Group regarding a waste management concession in front of a) the EC (referral request in accordance with Article 4(4) of EU Merger Regulation) and b) in front of the Hungarian Competition Authority (merger control notification).
Providing competition law advice to OTP Bank Plc. to ensure compliance with Hungarian and EU competition law in tender procedures.