Home / Europe / Netherlands / Antitrust, Competition & Trade

Antitrust, Competition & Trade (ACT)

Law Firm in the Netherlands specialised in Antitrust, Competition & Trade (ACT)

The Dutch CMS Antitrust, Competition and Trade (ACT) group is part of one of the largest specialist competition and trade teams in the world. The more than 225 CMS experts of the international ACT team advise clients in more than 40 countries worldwide on all ACT matters.

Due to our size and very wide footprint, we are able to deal with all ACT matters irrespective of their geographic dimension. Where necessary we cooperate with long established contacts from our wider network of law firms everywhere in the world.

We are specialists across the full range of Antitrust, Competition and Trade matters. Furthermore, we have expert sub-groups specialising in specific areas within the wider competition and trade field, e.g. for State aid and Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).

Our clients range from very large multinationals who use our team as their ACT law firm of choice for a larger region (e.g., Europe), to Dutch governments at all levels as well as medium-sized companies.

The companies we represent are active in various economic sectors. We have expertise in the automotive sector, the consumer products sector, the construction and related sector and the energy sector, to name but a few.

Of course, we use the most up-to-date technical and AI tools to support our business. 

"This practice has a unique repertoire of legal resources and a thriving team which makes it stand out from other law firms."

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2023

"Good knowledge of clients’ market and quick analysis of ad hoc questions."

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2023

"The team has depth and knowledge of the courts and judicial thinking in the Netherlands, which gives it an edge over its rivals."

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

"In-depth knowledge and commitment to delivering good work."

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2021

"Experts in the field of EU law."

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2021

"Recommended in the 2021 edition of the Global Competition Review 100."

GCR 100, 2021

"CMS quickly provides and clear practical answers and solutions in complicated legal matters and is proactive."

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2020

Choose area

Abuse of dominance
Competitive conduct of companies with a strong market position is subject to increasing scrutiny and may lead to unwanted regulatory intervention, hig
Cartel investigations
Companies should be aware of the consequences that cartel behaviour may have for both the companies themselves as well as their management. We assist
Compliance
We provide day to day advice in all competition law matters to help clients avoid any conflicts with competition laws. We frequently provide up-to dat
Dawn Raid
It can also happen to you or your company: one morning, the government turns up on your doorstep. They want access to your records, they want copies o
Digital markets
CMS is widely recognised as a leader in providing legal advice to clients from the digital and technology markets. We help companies avoid regulatory
Export control and sanctions
In an increasingly challenging international business world, we help companies to remain compliant and keep supply chains moving. With export control
Foreign investment screening
While previously in the Netherlands there was little or no need to pay attention to foreign investment (FDI) screening for national security purposes,
Foreign subsidies control
The EU has extended State aid control to the support of businesses provided by non-EU governments (Foreign Subsidies Regulation).. We help compan
General EU law
With our specialised expertise in general European law, we help companies defend their commercial interests in all matters of general EU law, includin
Horizontal agreements
The line between admissible conduct and infringement can be thin. Our Dutch team's specialists’ expertise covers the full range of horizontal co
Merger Control
In the Netherlands, CMS has a long and extensive track record of advising clients on merger control requirements and representing them in merger
Private enforcement
The Dutch CMS ACT team acts for claimants and defendants in all competition-related private enforcement matters before the civil courts in the Netherl
Regulatory
Companies in regulated industries are under constant scrutiny over anti-competitive behaviour, especially in relation to the Digital Markets Act
State aid
State aid is a constantly developing field of law. The EU and its Member States, among which the Netherlands and many other governments outside the EU
Unfair trading practices (UTP)
CMS is at the forefront of advising clients in the field of unfair trading practices which is a relatively new field of law in many countries. For exa
Vertical agreements
We have extensive experience with all competition law issues in the areas of exclusive and selective distribution, franchising, platforms, e-commerce,
Subscribe to Antitrust, Competition & Trade (ACT) topics
Stay up-to-date with our client services.
CMS Dawn Raid Assistant
The CMS Antitrust, Competition and Trade Group is launching the CMS Dawn Raid Assistant to guide you through the essentials in the event of a dawn raid ...

Feed

12/03/2024
After EU Commission's first decision on Carbon Contracts for Difference,...
The European Commission approved the first Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfD) scheme under the new Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy 2022 (CEEAG).Fol­low­ing the...
07/03/2024
Practical guidance on how to assess the existence of aid for risk financing...
On 26 January 2024, the Commission adopted practical guidance for Member States on assessing the existence of State aid for measures aimed at facilitating access to financing for certain busi­nesses.Risk...
05/03/2024
European Commission authorises EUR 550 million Italian hydrogen aid scheme
On 30 January 2024, the European Commission authorised an Italian hydrogen aid scheme with a budget of EUR 550 million under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework.The Green Deal industrial planThe...
22/01/2024
State aid: The European Commission approves an Italian aid scheme for the...
On 15 January 2024, the European Commission approved a EUR 120 mil­lion Italian aid scheme for all airlines establishing new connections between one of the three airports in Calabria, namely Tito Minniti...
14/12/2023
European Commission must launch a State aid investigation into the granting...
The European Commission (Commission) must launch a formal State aid investigation into the granting of Dutch lottery licences, following an appeal to the EU General Court by the European Gaming and Betting...
14/12/2023
ESG Power Hour: Discover the trends for 2024
We cordially invite you to the webinar "ESG Power Hour: Discover the Trends for 2024" on Thursday 14 December 2023, from 08:30 to 09:30 AM, live via GoTo Webinar.
27/11/2023
State aid: Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework extended
The European Commission has adjusted the timetable for phasing out the provisions of the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework after sending Member States this proposal for partial adjustment...
18/10/2023
State aid: The Court of Justice of the EU annuls the judgment of the General...
The European Commission's decision of 31 July 2017  On 7 April 2017, Germany notified the Commission of its plan to grant operating aid to Frankfurt-Hahn airport to cover the deficit of its operator...
20/09/2023
CMS advises Bynder on the acquisition of EMRAYS
CMS has advised Bynder, the market-leading digital asset management (DAM) platform on its acquisition of EMRAYS, a specialist provider of AI search solutions for DAM. The CMS team was led by Roman Tarlavski...
12/09/2023
CMS European Class Actions Report 2023
Data-driven insights into class action risk across Europe, a key concern for major corporates
10/07/2023
In-depth investigation by the European Commission into Danish and Swedish...
In August 2020, Denmark and Sweden notified the European Commission of their plans to provide support in the form of recapitalisation measures for the airline SAS.As a result of pandemic-related travel...
26/06/2023
Revised guidance on the application of EU State aid rules in the UK post-Brexit
On 9 June 2023, the European Commission (“EC”) adopted a revised Notice on the application of the EU State aid rules to the UK following the end of the Brexit transition period.  On the same day...