EU and competition

Arthur Cox

Arthur Cox has a sizeable team with two partners and eight associates. It has a substantial client base of domestic and multinational businesses, and has an outstanding record in merger control. The firm also has a significant presence in competition investigations and disputes, which includes representing clients in the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)’s investigations into motor insurance and event ticketing. It is also widely recognised for its expertise in state aid. Richard Ryan heads the competition and regulated markets group, which includes emerging talent Patrick Horan . Simon Breen is a rising star. Ronan Scanlan has left the firm.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team are helpful to work with and have a strong industry and company knowledge. ’
‘Richard Ryan has a deep understanding of the industry, company and legal issues involved. He is highly experienced and always happy to help. Patrick Horan is excellent to work with. He throws himself into understanding novel and complex issues, adopts a pragmatic approach and provides practical and clear considered advice. He communicates advice particularly well. ’
‘I believe that the Arthur Cox team would bring a very practical approach to any competition problem. They very much focus on actual practical steps and solutions as opposed to looking at competition theory and law.’
‘The two individuals I know are Richard Ryan, partner and Simon Breen, senior associate. They are both calm but very practical and focus on the central issue. They speak about the problem and its solution, not the myriad of other information that can surround a competition law issue.’
‘Very experienced team, uniquely well resourced in Dublin and stacks up very well against competition teams in larger jurisdictions like London and Brussels. I would have confidence in them handling the most significant matters we deal with.’
‘Richard Ryan. Never gets flustered, always well prepared for meetings and has clearly thought things through with possible solutions considered in advance. Very experienced and a really good communicator. Patrick Horan is a very pragmatic and technically very good. Good communicator. ’
‘Their EU and competition team takes lead of the process, guiding the client through difficult topics and delivering excellent advise and documents/papers relevant for the case. ’
‘They are excellent lawyers and well updated on both local and EU competition law. Patrick Horan stands out. ’

Key clients

Permanent TSB
Sector Alarm Group
InfraVia Capital Partners
CRH plc
Irish Cement
Roadstone
Flutter Entertainment
KBC Group
Kerry Group
Ryanair
Stripe
Greencore Group
Mediahuis and Mediahuis Ireland
Insurance Ireland
Applegreen
Accenture
Volvo and Renault Trucks
Glanbia
Dole
National Broadband Ireland
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company
Dawn Meats
Compass Group
DFDS
John Laing Group
Phoenix Tower international
Apax Partners
PHOENIX Group
Musgrave group
Bunzl

Work highlights

Advised Flutter on the merger control aspects of its acquisition of an initial 51% stake in MaxBet, Serbia’s second-largest omni-channel sports betting and gaming operator.
Acted for Ryanair in various sets of High Court proceedings issued against Skyscanner, Vola.ro, Ypsilon.net, Flightbox and Booking.com for alleged wrongs done arising out of involvement in screen scraping activities concerning Ryanair’s website and in offering Ryanair products or services for sale other than via Ryanair’s website.
Advised Dawn Meats on the merger control aspects of its acquisition of Irish meat processor Kildare Chilling.