Some mergers and acquisitions in the pharma sector have proved challenging and controversial. Given the impact of COVID-19, it is likely that pharma deals will be scrutinised even more thoroughly now and in the future by the various national and international competition agencies.
EU, Competition & ProcurementOn 5 February, the European Commission published a Working Paper setting out guidance on the circumstances which may warrant disapplication of the prohibition on anti-competitive arrangements contained in Article 101(1) TFEU in cases where the same entity acts both as an independent distributor and as an agent for products of the same supplier.
EU, Competition & ProcurementA&L Goodbody's EU, Competition & Procurement Group has published its report on merger control by Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) in 2020.
EU, Competition & ProcurementA&L Goodbody's EU, Competition & Procurement team has submitted a response to the public consultation on certain aspects of the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2021.
EU, Competition & ProcurementAs of 1 January 2021, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU's internal energy market and the framework for energy trading between the UK and the EU is governed by Title VIII of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
BrexitIreland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment – the Irish Government's business ministry – has commenced a public consultation to review certain aspects of competition law in Ireland.
EU, Competition & ProcurementThe European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) have agreed a Trade and Cooperation Agreement which took effect from 1 January 2021.
BrexitThe Irish Government has announced that it has established a new Government Office to promote competition in the insurance market in Ireland. It is entitled the "Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Market".
EU, Competition & ProcurementVincent Power, Head of EU, Competition and Procurement at A&L Goodbody explores the challenges facing the UK if its people ever wanted to rejoin the EU.
BrexitEU, Member States and US regulators are increasingly scrutinising the effect and antitrust behaviour of Big Tech in the digital age and by reference to Big Tech's use of data.
EU, Competition & ProcurementThe UK has given fisheries prominence because a "good result" would be more meaningful for voters than other more theoretical and complex issues. Vincent Power explained that it'll be very difficult to find a deal on fisheries that will please everyone.
Brexit"Governance" is reported to be one of the top three issues in the final stages of the EU-UK negotiations on a trade deal. Dr Vincent Power, Head of EU, Competition and Procurement at A&L Goodbody, explains, in a practical way, what the topic of "governance" means in the Brexit debate.
Brexit