EU and competition

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP has a formidable reputation for EU and competition matters, particularly in the technology sector. It has excelled in representing multinational giants in connection with the intersection between privacy law/digital regulation and competition law. It has advised multinational tech businesses on personal data matters and in headline competition-related litigation. The firm remains active in merger control, acting for both corporates and private equity houses. In competition enforcement and competition litigation, it has appeared in a series of major cases, including the motor insurance and ticketing investigations. Tara Kelly leads the team and is an experienced figure in merger control and the crossover between digital regulation and competition law. Dorit McCann is a leading figure in procurement, while Laura Durning and Liam Heylin provide further senior firepower.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Excellent public procurement law advice. Excellent litigation and public law advice. Excellent public data protection law advice.’
‘Tara Kelly and Liam Heylin are excellent. They give very thoughtful, to the point, practical advice, and demonstrate each time how they are the experts in their field, with keen insight on the latest developments. They are always happy to pick up the phone, work through an issue with you, and are a pleasure to work with. They are typically my go-to for Irish antitrust and FDI matters.’
‘I've worked primarily with Laura Durning and Liam Heylin. I have also found them to be highly responsive and available for ad hoc queries which arise.’
‘MHC, particularly Liam Heylin, have provided excellent advice on certain areas of DMA compliance approach and strategy. Again, MHC has a focus on pragmatic and risk-based advice with a business-friendly focus, being able to understand product pressures and interconnected legal risks in relation to them. Their responsiveness under tight timelines is a key strength to mitigate compliance risk to clients.’
‘The team clearly understands our business and business models. This is critical in terms of them assessing risk and proposing opportunities. They are careful in their responses and analysis and look to examine the issues from many angles. They bring in additional expertise as required. They are punctual in their responses and completely professional. ’
‘We have worked closely with Liam Heylin, Michael Madden and to a lesser extent Dorit McCann. They are consummate professionals, always responding to queries in a timely way and giving full consideration to the complexities of the scenarios we are challenged with before providing a written legal opinion. Liam has worked with us very closely and as intimate knowledge of our business and how it has evolved. Michael is exacting and definitive, which is always helpful where we receive resistance on positions taken. I have less experience of Dorit but I know that colleagues also regard her very highly. The team is excellent. ’
‘Mason Hayes & Curran has been very responsive to the demands of our clients, providing timely, clear and practical advice. Beyond advising on the specifics of our matter, they have actively sought to keep us abreast of developments in Ireland's evolving FDI regime. I feel confident in their advice, and they are a pleasure to work with.’
‘Tara Kelly has quickly established herself as our go to person for all things competition and antitrust. She is forward thinking, extremely knowledgeable and offers practical advice that you know you can rely on.’

Key clients

On the Beach
Statkraft
Proximus
AIB
Global Infrastructure Group
Science Foundation Ireland
Department of Environment Climate and Communications
Westcoast (Holdings)
Tobii
Bencis Capital Partners
Irish Life
Bord na Mona
ISC Evidensia
Teagasc
Road Safety Authority
Children’s Health Ireland

Work highlights

Advised Proximus on the Irish merger control aspects of its acquisition of Route Mobile including obtaining a clearance decision from the CCPC.
Advised a 'Gatekeeper' on its approach to complying with the EU’s Digital Markets Act and reporting to the European Commission in respect of same
Advised Science Foundation Ireland on all matters relating to state aid law relevant to the R&D sector and on the development of a robust grant contractual framework aimed at ensuring compliance with the state aid rules.