Eric is an attorney-at-law, specialising in competition law, state aid and market regulation law, with a special focus on the agricultural sector.
Competition law and state aid consist of regulations designed to ensure that competition within the field of commerce is not restricted. One of the aims of the EU regulations on market regulation is to strengthen the position of farmers in the food supply chain. Breaching or failing to fully comply with these rules can have a negative effect on market participators, sometimes leading to invalid contracts, fines, damages claims, loss of accreditation or missing out on or clawback of benefits received.
Eric advises and assists companies and government authorities to comply with these regulations. Part of his remit is to assess partnerships and mergers between companies and examining how companies with a dominant market position conduct themselves. He also handles and assists with the notification of mergers and acquisitions (concentrations)of the relevant competition authorities . In addition, he assesses whether benefits awarded or allocated by government authorities are in line with state aid rules, or can be brought into compliance with them.
Disputes cannot always be avoided. If a conflict arises, Eric works hard to achieve an effective solution by reaching a settlement, conducting court proceedings or combining the two. The strategy is always determined by what best serves the client’s interest.