News & Events
Post-crisis - tackling illegal aid in the courts
21 June 2010
Post-crisis – tackling illegal aid in the courts
Organised jointly by the Competition Section and the Society’s EU Committee
Date: Tuesday 13th July 2010
Time: 6.00-8.00 pm (registration from 5.45pm)
CPD: 2 hours
Cost: Free for members; non-members £60 + VAT
Venue: The Law Society’s Hall, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
What recourse does your client have if its competitor is the recipient of illegal public aid? During the financial crisis unprecedented amounts of public money were used to support business, and in particular the financial sector. Aid should usually be approved by the European Commission but is that always the case? What is the impact on a company when competitors are getting an unfair advantage? There has been little private litigation in this field in the UK. This seminar will debate whether this is about to (or needs to) change. A panel of three leading experts in this field will discuss these topics, followed by an open discussion:
• Causes of action and remedies available in England and Wales and an overview of the cases brought so far.
• State aid rules in relation to financial services, banking and taxation.
• The work and priorities of the European Commission in the development of private enforcement.
• Hurdles and barriers to bringing actions, prospects for the future and potential reforms.
Who should attend? In-house counsel and practitioners advising clients in the financial and other sectors, local government and public sector practitioners, tax law, State aids and competition law practitioners.
Speakers
Introduction: Becket McGrath, Chair of the Competition Section
Chair: John Wotton, Law Society Deputy Vice President and EU Committee Chair
Barbara Brandtner, Head of Unit, State aid Enforcement and Procedural Reform, European Commission
Conor Quigley QC, Brick Court Chambers
Kelyn Bacon, Brick Court Chambers
Booking Form