Competition - Distribution - Contracts

Presentation

The constantly evolving field of competition law and distribution law creates a need for support from a team of competent and efficient advisors who are perfectly informed of the economic and public policy dynamics at play.

Racine has a team of lawyers who are fully dedicated to competition and distribution law matters.

Numerous clients (French and international groups, industrial companies and service providers operating in various sectors, banks and financial institutions, SMEs, public authorities and professional organizations) trust the team, which accompanies them in all aspects of their business.

Related distinctions 43

The team is active in French and European competition law, antitrust matters (horizontal practices, vertical restraints and abuses of a dominant position), merger control and State aid matters. In the area of distribution law, Racine’s specialized lawyers have created various commercial partnerships, notably in the industrial, energy, fashion and luxury sectors. They also act in complex litigation related to commercial agreements and distribution.

The wide-ranging diversity of the files handled by the team reflects the Competition – Distribution department’s ability to adapt to clients’ needs so that they may furnish practical and operational solutions.

CARTEL AND ABUSES OF A DOMINANT POSITION

Advisory and risk prevention: internal audits, analysis of competition risks in commercial contracts, distribution agreements and tender procedures, training and implementation of compliance programmes
Assistance during dawn raids and appeals against such decisions
Procedures before the French Competition Authority and the European Commission: complaint, interim measures, defence on the merits and appeals before courts
Negotiated procedures: leniency, settlements, commitments
Private enforcement: assistance before commercial courts, either as defendant and complainant

MERGER

Merger filing before national or European authorities and assistance for appeals
Coordination of multijuridictionnal filings
Negotiation and implementation of commitments

STATE AID

Advice in the framework of economic support granted by public authorities
Assistance before the European Commission and European or national courts

DISTRIBUTION AND COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS

Negotiation and drafting of commercial agreements: complex partnerships, setting-up joint-ventures, supply and listing agreements, license and know-how transfer agreements, network arrangements, brokerage agreements, etc.
Organisation of distribution networks: definition of contractual tools, drafting of franchise and concession agreements, selective and exclusive distribution, commercial agency, online sales, etc.
Assistance with annual negotiations, drafting or rendering compliant commercial documents and practices (invoices, general terms and conditions of sale or purchase, single conventions, etc.)
Distribution and commercial contract litigation before the commercial courts (unfair competition, sudden termination of contractual relations, delisting, significant imbalance in commercial relations, selling at loss, etc.) and assessment of damages

CONSUMER LAW, ADVERTISING LAW AND SALES PROMOTIONS

Sales publicity and promotion, labelling, product regulation and warranties
Assistance during controls led by the French Competition, Consumer and Fraud Prevention Directorate (DGCCRF) and French Departmental Consumer Protection Directorate (DDPP)

REGULATION

Representation in proceedings before regulatory authorities (French Audio-Visual Council (CSA), French Press Distribution Regulatory Authority (ARDP), etc.)

Recongnitions

Rankings

Legal 500 - 2023: EU Competition & Distribution Law
Décideurs - 2023: Competition & Antitrust
Chambers - 2023: Competition / European Law
Best Lawyers - 2023: Individual ranking
Le Point - 2022: Commercial, Business and Competition Law
Best Lawyers - 2022: Individual ranking
Legal 500 - 2022: EU competition and distribution
Chambers - 2022: Competition / European Law
Décideurs - 2022: Competition & Antitrust
Legal 500 - 2021: Competition-Distribution
Best Lawyers - 2021: Classements individuels
Legal 500 - 2021: Legal 500 EMEA
Le Point - 2021: Competition – Distribution – Contracts

Awards

2023: Sommet du Droit

Distribution law
2015: Palmarès des cabinets d'avocats

Competition: Bronze trophy
2015: Trophées du droit et du contentieux

Entrepreneurial firm over five years old: Gold trophy
2018: Palmarès des cabinets d'avocats

Competition: Silver trophy
2018: Top Legal

Top Legal