Competition and cartel investigations

Companies need to be alive to the possibility of investigations and fines for anti-competitive behaviour. We defend our clients in cartel and other regulatory investigations by the Swiss Competition Commission and other authorities.

We approach investigations and dawn raids with acuity, considering the best options to meet our clients’ objectives – whether through a strong defence or other means, including settlements and leniency applications. Our highly-skilled team is representing companies in most of the on-going major Swiss antitrust administrative proceedings at all levels, from first instance investigations (Competition Commission) to appeal proceedings (Federal Administrative Court and Federal Supreme Court). We also defend our clients' interests in subsequent or stand-alone civil court proceedings.

We work with our own in-house CMS Evidence team of forensic experts using the market-leading software, Brainspace. This expertise, combined with our Swiss competition bench strength in Zurich and Geneva, complemented by our international competition team of experienced CMS competition lawyers across most European countries, South America, Far and Middle East and Africa, allows us to manage large-scale document reviews efficiently and effectively.

We are also familiar with the necessary steps to be undertaken concerning listings in public registers to protect our clients’ commercial interests against further negative consequences resulting from fine decisions (in particular concerning projects tendered by public authorities).