State Aid
Under European Union (EU) rules, it is unlawful for EU Member States to provide financial or other assistance to selected companies, without the specific approval of the European Commission (EC). The latest global financial crisis which resulted in a string of bank rescues, mergers and restructurings has highlighted the crucial role state aid law plays in the all-important interaction with merger control and government action to ensure both financial stability and the level playing field.
Members of our team have advised both EU Member States and companies on all aspects of the EU state aid rules, including planning and structuring of the state aid measure, investigations/complaints by the EC and appeals to the EU Courts, as well as litigation in the national Courts.
We have particular expertise in financial services, postal services, media, infrastructure projects and energy, all areas where there has been significant state aid activity in recent years.
Featured Experience:
- ALRO in relation to a EC state aid investigation regarding a Power Purchase agreement with Hidroelectrica.
- ALRO on the EC state aid investigation into the Romanian renewable energy (“Green Certificates”) scheme, and subsequent amendments to the scheme.
- Bpost in relation to EC state aid investigation regarding compensation for services of general interest, and related litigation.
- National Media Federation as a complainant to the EC against state broadcaster.
