Standing out for its ability to ‘provide high-quality services’, the competition group at VdA possesses the skills and knowledge necessary to handle a wide range of prominent competition and regulatory matters across various industries. Renowned for its active involvement in the banking and telecoms sectors, the firm is highly sought after by multinational companies for advice on merger clearance mandates, investigations, State Aid and litigation matters. The team is led by Ricardo Bordalo Junqueiro , who is well versed in the full gamut of antitrust matters. Nuno Ruiz stands out for his work on major antitrust investigations and cartel cases at the domestic and EU levels, while Cláudia Coutinho Da Costa earns praise for her ’high technical competence.’

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘I believe that VDA provides a service with excellent quality in the matters in question. I highlight a high quality consultancy that maintains great proximity to the client. They have great knowledge of the sector of activity in which I operate.'
‘I would like to highlight Nuno Ruiz for his in-depth knowledge and experience in these matters. I believe it is truly unique and unique compared to any other colleagues in the same area.'
'Cláudia Coutinho da Costa has high technical competence in the area of competition, is extremely committed and available, generating a close relationship with the client in a somewhat unusual way. Every day, she expresses his desire and commitment to getting to know our organisation more and more deeply and the sharing she has shown over the years has been very rewarding.'
‘The team has above-average knowledge, which allows them to provide exceptional quality answers to the questions asked.'
‘We would highlight Nuno Ruiz and Cláudia Coutinho da Costa, with whom we have maintained a fruitful working relationship for over a decade.'
‘The team has extremely in-depth knowledge of the matters in question, which certainly places it at the top of the market.'
‘We highlight Nuno Ruiz and Cláudia Coutinho da Costa, with whom we are in closer contact and who not only guarantee quick and enlightening answers to our questions, but also demonstrate that they have complete command of the law applicable to the same issues.'
‘VdA stands out in the national legal market for its ability to provide high-quality services in the area of competition law. What makes VdA unique is its ability to offer effective and personalised solutions, tailored to the specific needs of the client.'

Key clients

Banco Comercial Português
Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD
Vodafone Portugal – Comunicações Pessoais, S.A.
Parpública – Portuguese State
MEO – Serviços de Comunicação e Multimédia
Lusíadas Group
CUF Hospitals
Menzies Aviation
CTT
Grupo 2045 (private security)
Deutsche Bank
Active Brands
Caixa Central de Crédito Agrícola
Eutelsat Madeira, Unipessoal, Lda.
Vodafone Portugal, Comunicações Pessoais, S.A.
Zurich Insurance Plc
Somafel – Engenharia e Obras Ferroviárias, S.A.

Work highlights

Advised Banco Comercial Português in its defence against a class action brought by Ius Omnibus, a consumer association, claiming around €6bn in damages allegedly caused to consumers by an alleged infringement of competition law due to information exchange between competitors.
Advised Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD in the first no-poach investigation carried out by the Portuguese Competition Authority.
Advised Parpública and the Portuguese Government in the cases brought by Ryanair against the European Commission in relation to State Aid granted to airline carriers TAP and SATA.

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