Business Law Specialists

EU/International Law

We offer a wide range of services to assist clients in maximising their potential abroad including the provision of advice relating to European and International Law, preparation and negotiation of agreements such as Joint Venture Agreements, Distribution Agreements, and Supply Agreements.

New and increasingly fast methods of communication mean that global business is ever more common and businesses need to be in a position to take advantage of the increasing number of opportunities presenting themselves on the European and International stage. We have access to numerous foreign law firms across the world and we have experience in instructing, negotiating with and working in conjunction with foreign lawyers to bring cross-border transactions to a swift conclusion.

Competition Law

Competition is the driver for innovation and growth within the market place BUT anti-competitive practices injure the competitiveness of our economy.

Under the Competition Act 1998, the Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 Prohibitions place strict rules on companies and their business activities.

A business can be in breach of these provisions if it is found to be carrying out anti-competitive activities such as price-fixing, bid-rigging, limiting and controlling production, markets or investment, restrictive advertising, etc, etc. The list is extensive.

The penalty for such a breach is that a company can face a fine of up to 10% of its annual turnover. If this were not bad enough, the actual penalty is in fact dependent on the length of the infringement and can be 10% of annual turnover for each year up to a total of 3 years.

On the other side of the coin, are the businesses that are affected by these anti-competitive activities. Along with the economy, these are the businesses that suffer. The effects on them are lower profit levels, less business and possibly a collapse of the business altogether.

In a report carried out on anti-competitive activities, the Office of Fair Trading reported that nearly a quarter of small and medium sized businesses in the United Kingdom believe that they are harmed by anti-competitive practices.

We are businessmen and lawyers, giving us the ability to better understand and acknowledge the needs of businessmen.

We can assist your business by carrying out a ‘Competition Law Audit’ or a ‘Full Legal Audit’ in order to establish whether any breaches have occurred and to advise on steps to remedy such breaches.

We can also help business profitability and competitiveness in the market place by identifying competitors who themselves are in breach of the Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 Prohibitions and advise on steps that can be taken to prevent anti-competitive practices. These include claims for damages against such parties in respect of any losses sustained, injunctive relief, or indeed, referring the matter to the Office of Fair Trading for investigation and prosecution.

By levelling out the playing field, businesses stand a better chance of beating the competition.

For further advice on EU and International law from solicitors that specialise in dealing with all aspects of legal issues for small and medium sized businesses across the West Midlands, please contact us through our confidential online enquiry form or telephone 01564 777250

We operate across the West Midlands

We work with all sizes of business across the West Midlands advising on all aspects corporate, commercial and company law:

If you would like to discuss your legal matters or concerns with us:

Company, Corporate and Commercial solicitors based in the West Midlands.