Competition Law - PRACTICE AREAS

The practice

The award winning Competition Law Practice at EPAM is the largest in the CIS, with more than 30 lawyers firmwide.

The Firm's lawyers have an impressive track record of successfully obtaining approvals from the antimonopoly authorities of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus for more than one hundred M&A, joint ventures, and corporate restructuring transactions, including those related to investment into strategic industries.

The Firm's experience encompasses dozens of complex antimonopoly cases successfully settled both as part of administrative proceedings and in court. The Practice's longstanding clients include companies holding dominant positions in the CIS market.

The success of the Practice may be attributed to its participation in major and benchmark transactions and competition disputes, as well as to its extensive involvement in legislation drafting, particularly, as part of expert councils for the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (the FAS Russia) and not-for-profit partnerships promoting competition in Russia and the CIS.

In Russia, the Practice consists of about twenty experts who deal only in competition issues. This allows for a Practice structure that covers all aspects of Competition Protection Law, as well as other matters within the scope of the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia, i.e. public and corporate procurement, advertising, state defense order and so on. The Practice is recommended by such publications as Chambers Europe, Who’s Who Legal: CIS, and Best Lawyers. The Global Competition Review 100 views it as the biggest in the market.

In Ukraine, the Practice that previously operated under the Magisters brand has many years of experience collaborating with the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) and advising clients from over two dozen industries. Achievements of our Ukrainian team include such benchmark projects as the approval by AMCU of the biggest M&A deal in Ukraine's history - merger of Altimo and Telenor in the CIS totaling USD 23.8bn, among others.

Services

Our services:

getting merger control clearances for economic concentration deals;
supporting transactions on establishing control by foreign investors over companies of strategic importance;
representing clients in investigations and administrative cases initiated by the regulator as well as challenging the decisions of antitrust authorities;
client support during the antimonopoly authority inspections;
representation of clients on other issues of interaction with the antitrust authority (compliance with the antitrust authority’s requests, obtaining of explanations, and so forth);
development of market strategies and business structuring in accordance with the requirements of the antitrust legislation;
due diligence of the company with regard to compliance with antitrust legislation and the development of local regulations aimed at such compliance (trade and distribution policies etc.);
audit of retailers and suppliers for compliance with the Trade Law, to protect the interests of such clients’ in Trade Law related proceedings;
client support in relation to tariff regulation with the FAS of Russia;
consulting and representing clients in the public procurement and tender processes;
legislative drafting and supporting before the antitrust and governmental authorities;
consulting and support of clients on issues related to Eurasian Economic Community regulations and functioning the Eurasian Economic Commission.

Reputation

"They turned around a very difficult situation, … tackled it from all angles and were very effective."(Chambers Europe 2020)

“The practice has a strength in breadth and depth, and lawyers are also very well-connected.” (The Legal 500 2020)

The team "provides precise strategic guidance and follows through with excellent tactical execution" and is "simply a pleasure to work with". (The Legal 500 2019)

The team is “able to act immediately to solve complex problems”. (The Legal 500 2018)

"None of the lawyers ever say 'that's impossible', they always suggest alternatives. They say 'perhaps we could do this to solve your problem" (Chambers Europe 2017)

"Knowledgeable and well-connected" team (The Legal 500 2017)

The team “has very deep knowledge of anti-monopoly laws and the practices of the relevant authorities”. “They deal with the most challenging cases” and “never disappoint” (Chambers Europe 2016)

"The Firm’s Competition Practice is praised for its ‘dynamic’ team which ‘does not back down without a win’ and ‘generates new ideas to protect the interests of the client’ (The Legal 500 2016)

“Substantial, top-quality team…” “I like its responsiveness, high quality of work and the results it has achieved for us” (Chambers Europe 2015)

For more testimonials please follow the link.