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Competition and EU law
Companies, associations and public institutions often face issues of competition law, State aid law or EU law. We provide legal advice that is forward-looking, quick and practice-oriented. Our team consists of 15 lawyers, who are based at our offices in Brussels, Düsseldorf and Mönchengladbach.
Our team works in seven languages. In the event of cross-border issues we can also draw on our network of renowned independent partners.
Leading law firm for antitrust law; ‘In-depth knowledge in practice areas. Business acumen.’; ‘Axel Kallmayer and his team always respond very quickly with a high level of expertise coupled with the necessary degree of pragmatism. Top experts in German and European antitrust law. Ideal for strategic long-term considerations.’
Legal 500 Germany 2026
Their trad. in recent years, the practice has broadened its traditional involvement in distribution antitrust law with regard to advising on digital platform models. [...] In addition, the practice has also recently been seen in some prominent cartel damages proceedings.
JUVE Handbook 2024/25
One of the most frequently recommended competition law firms by inhouse lawyers
kanzleimonitor 2025/26 (law firm directory of the German institute for legal departments & in-house lawyers)
Recommended law firm for competition law and european law
Handelsblatt/Best Lawyers® 'Germany's Best Law firms 2025'
One of the best law firms in the field of cartel and competition
brandeins 2025
Leading law firm for competition law 2025
WirtschaftsWoche Top-Kanzleien 2025
We represent companies and associations in competition law and merger control proceedings before German and EU competition authorities. We advise on the drafting of supply and distribution agreements as well as cooperation agreements between competitors in conformity with competition law.
Experience includes:
- Providing regular competition law advice to several industrial groups (including several DAX40 and MDAX groups) as well as to numerous medium-sized companies in almost all sectors
- Representing companies and associations in competition proceedings concerning heat stabilisers, confectionery, fire-fighting vehicles, spectacle lenses, building materials, the retail sector, the chemical wholesale sector, ready-mixed concrete, civil engineering, beer, mining, agricultural products, technical building services, musical instruments, fashion, etc.
- Numerous merger control notifications to the Federal Competition Authority (Bundeskartellamt) and the European Commission
- Advising operators of essential infrastructure on avoiding infringements of the prohibition on abusive practices, e.g. several international commercial airports
DOWNLOADS
Factsheet Competition law
It is essential for companies and associations to avoid competition law infringements. To this end, we develop and implement compliance programmes to prevent breaches of competition law or, for example, breaches of the prohibition on corruption without incurring unnecessary costs or hindering employee initiative.
We also carry out audits in order to investigate any potential infringements – taking into account any relevant criminal law issues. In doing so, we can draw on the broad interdisciplinary expertise of our firm, that we have bundled in our Corporate Compliance Sector Group.
Experience includes
- Development and implementation of compliance systems, training programmes and e-learning for more than 40 businesses and associations
- Conducting internal investigations for several German industrial companies both in order to avoid legal issues and for the clarification of concrete grounds for suspicion
Companies that breach competition law may owe damages to customers, suppliers or competitors. We support companies in asserting such claims or defending themselves against them. To this end we combine our competition law expertise with the many decades of experience that Kapellmann has in indemnity law and procedural law.
Experience includes:
- Representing public sector as well as private companies against the so-called “Truck Cartel“
- Other recent matters have included competition proceedings in the areas of fire hydrants, postal services, payment services, tracks, batteries, beer and sugar
We support both beneficiaries and providers of State aid in the legally compliant structuring of such aid. Where requested, we also make any relevant notifications to the EU. We represent our clients in investigation proceedings before the EU Commission, always with the goal of avoiding demands for repayment and developing future arrangements that are in compliance with State aid law. In this, the proximity of our Brussels office to the EU institutions puts us at a distinct advantage.
The team is regularly consulted by airports and sports facilities on issues relating to state aid and subsidy law. The team also has extensive experience in litigation before the EU courts.
JUVE Rankings 2026
Leading law firm for state aid law; Kapellmann & Partner has recognised expertise in state aid, particularly in the infrastructure sector; ‘Specialised team in the field of EU state aid law based in Brussels, among other places, with extensive experience in dealing with the EU institutions located there.’; ‘Good understanding of the needs of local authorities.’
Legal 500 Germany 2026
Awarded 'Top Business Law Firm 2023' for state aid law
FOCUS-SPEZIAL Deutschlands Top-Anwälte 2023
Experience includes
- Regular provision of advice to several Federal States and municipalities on the legally compliant design of their public services e.g. through acts of entrustment
- Supporting private investors in the public funding of investment projects
- Advising numerous international commercial airports, including in pre- and main examination proceedings at the EU Commission
DOWNLOADS
Factsheet State aid law
We advise companies, associations and public institutions on all aspects of EU law, which will become increasingly significant in the future. This also includes regulatory issues concerning the European internal market such as product safety, standardisation and financial services.
Our office lies at the heart of the EU-quarter in Brussels. All our lawyers there are very familiar with the Brussels rules and processes. As a German medium-sized law firm, we understand the interests of our clients well and represent them before the Brussels institutions – regularly also before the EU courts.
The well-established Brussels team of the firm, which is well established in Germany in construction law, is convincing with an experienced EU litigation practice. Good contacts with European authorities, good links to German practice.
JUVE Handbook 2023/24 and 2024/25
Recommended law firm for European law
Handelsblatt/Best Lawyers® "Deutschlands Beste Anwälte 2024"
One of the most recommended law firms by in-house counsels for European & international law
kanzleimonitor.de 2021/2022
Experience includes
- Representing the Federal Republic of Germany before the European Court of Justice in its defence against the demerger of Deutsche Bahn AG pursued by the EU
- Ongoing advice to companies and associations on issues surrounding internal market law and financial regulation
- Representing clients in anti-dumping procedures
- Issuing several legal opinions on EU product safety law for federal authorities
- Representing clients in proceedings before the European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance
DOWNLOADS
Factsheet EU law
