Competition Law & Antitrust
CORE Attorneys advise and represent national and international clients before authorities and courts regarding all aspects of competition law and antitrust.
Competition Law & Antitrust at CORE Attorneys
CORE Attorneys advise and represent national and international clients from various industries before public authorities and courts regarding all aspects of competition law, including:
- All forms of anti-competitive conduct (cartels, vertical agreements, abuse of dominant position)
- Merger control proceedings and multijurisdictional filings
- Trade agreements and collaboration forms (joint ventures, licensing, distribution, R&D agreements, digital platforms)
- Initial risk assessments and strategic M&A considerations
- Competition law support in due diligence
- Compliance measures for transactions
- Internal investigations and compliance
- Unfair competition law, public procurement, price surveillance
Antitrust and cartel proceedings
- Advice on cartel agreements and concerted practices
- Representation in proceedings before the Competition Commission (COMCO)
- Leniency applications
- Private enforcement litigation and cartel damages claims
Merger control
- Notification of concentrations to COMCO and the European Commission
- Multijurisdictional merger filings
- Transaction structuring from a competition law perspective
- Merger control compliance and early warning systems
Abuse of dominance
- Advice on market power and dominant positions
- Representation in dominance and abuse proceedings before COMCO
- Relative market power under Art. 7 CA
Frequently asked questions
When does a merger need to be notified to COMCO?
A merger must be notified to COMCO when the companies involved together achieve annual turnover of at least CHF 2 billion globally or at least CHF 100 million in Switzerland, and at least two of the companies involved each achieve turnover of at least CHF 100 million in Switzerland.
What is a competition agreement?
Competition agreements are legally or factually enforceable arrangements and concerted practices between companies at the same or different market levels that have the object or effect of restricting competition.
What is a leniency application?
A leniency application (Kronzeugenantrag) allows a company that participated in a cartel to self-report to COMCO in exchange for full immunity from or a reduction in fines. CORE Attorneys has extensive experience in advising on and filing leniency applications.