Competitive Edge Newsletter: Competition Law - November 2025
Contacts
Partner
Denmark
I'm a partner and co-head of our international Competition & EU group. I also lead the Competition & EU team in Denmark. I have a particular focus on applying competition & EU law as a tool to achieve specific and measurable business objectives for our clients.
Partner
Netherlands
I am a partner in our NL office, based in The Hague, where I was one of its founding lawyers in 2001.
Keeping you up to date on Competition & EU law developments in Europe and beyond.
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In Focus
2025 and no end to the trend: Europe’s unbroken focus on vertical restraints
Read the 2025 review by Elsa Mandel Benichou, Thomas Oster and our EU competition group for practical guidance on navigating vertical agreements across Europe - and learn why your distribution networks may need reviewing for compliance with competition law.
Updates from our jurisdictions
EU
Can a competition authority share leniency applications with the public prosecutor?
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Anne Federle or David Wouters.
No wAI out: Competition Policy Brief confirms legal professional privilege does not extend to in-house lawyers
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Pauline Kuipers or Tialda Beetstra.
Belgium
Belgium issues roadmap for competition-compliant sustainability cooperation
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Baptist Vleeshouwers or Claire De Neve.
Czech Republic
Czech Competition Act possibly to undergo major amendment: what to expect?
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Vojtěch Chloupek, Kristýna Vojtěchovská, or Matej Šinkovic.
Denmark
High risk, no reward – price coordination results in DKK 10 million fine
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Morten Nissen or Alexander Brøchner.
Finland
Trade association price recommendations under review by the Finnish Competition Authority
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Katia Duncker, Petteri Metsä-Tokila or Maria Karpathakis.
Germany
German Federal Cartel Office Targets Temu Over Marketplace Pricing Practices
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Stephan Waldheim, Tamy Tietze or Gitty Narymany Shandy.
Hungary
What's the Buzz? Accelerated sector inquiry into the mosquito repellent market
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Gabor Kutai or Kinga Kálmán.
Netherlands
Influence brings accountability: Dutch Supreme Court is advised on parental liability in the Flour Cartel
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Pauline Kuipers.
Poland
Labour market collusion in Poland's transport sector
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Marcin Alberski or Stanislaw Szymanek.
Spain
Turning point for Spanish Merger Control – CNMC issues first–ever prohibition decision
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Candela Sotés or Pablo Rodríguez.
UK
No more paws for concern? CMA's provisional decision prescribes major reforms for UK veterinary sector
If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Dr Saskia King or Tenisha Cramer.
Events and webinars
Webinar
Next Gen Lunch & Learn: Key Trends & Development in Competition Law
The Rising Stars of competition law practitioners from across Europe will provide you with unique insights alongside a taste of what is to come at the associated Competition Next Gen Summit 2026 on 3-4th March 2026 in London.
- Merger Control and Deals
- Competition Developments in Digital Markets
- Antitrust Concerns in Artificial Intelligence
- Developments in Abuse of Dominance
- Enforcement
- Challenges Between Sustainability and Antitrust Goals
- Navigating FSR & FDI
Webinar
Navigating the New Era of FDI Screening – Sensitive Sectors and Cross-Border Deals
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening is reshaping cross-border deals – are you ready?
Join our international panel of Bird & Bird FDI experts across the EU and the UK for an insightful webinar on navigating the new FDI screening landscape – and what it means for your cross-border deals.
- Tackle the toughest challenges deal teams face in cross-border transactions right now
- Share insights from recent FDI reviews in key jurisdictions, including the UK and across the EU
- Provide practical guidance on structuring deals, internal re-organisations, managing timelines, remedies and avoiding common pitfalls
This session is designed for in-house counsel, M&A and private equity deal teams, as well as investment funds and companies active in sensitive sectors.
More information & registration here
In-person Conference
The Nordic Competition Law Summit 2025
Organised by Thought Leaders 4 Competition, this new pan-Nordic forum will bring together leading practitioners to discuss key regulatory and procedural developments. Our Copenhagen-based partner Morten Nissen will join the panel on Assessing Developments in Below-Threshold Mergers, offering insights informed by our team's recent experience with complaints before the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority. With the agenda shaped by industry experts from across the Nordics, the summit promises fresh perspectives and practical discussions on the evolving competition law landscape. Readers can use discount code NCLSPK25 for 10% off tickets.
More information & registration here
Bird & Bird news
Guide to EU and UK Pharmaceutical Regulatory Law
Morten Nissen, co-head of our global Competition Law practice, Peter Willis, UK partner, and Alexander Brøchner, senior associate, have contributed a chapter on the rapidly developing competition law area to the 'Guide to EU and UK Pharmaceutical Regulatory Law', published by Wolters Kluwer. The 9th edition of this go-to resource for anyone working in or around pharma regulation, focuses on both EU and post-Brexit UK regulation and features a brand new chapter exploring the role of AI in the regulatory space.
Best Lawyers: Ones to watch for Spain
Congratulations to our Madrid-based Senior Associate Candela Sotés, who has been listed once again in the 2026 edition of “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Spain™” in the categories Competition / Antitrust Law and European Union Law.
