Our lawyers have served as legal counsel on many of the most sensitive state aid issues in the European Union and around the world. We assist industries that face subsidy challenges, assessing the compatibility of national practices with applicable EU and international rules. We work with clients to assess compliance of state subsidies or other assistance (such as favorable tax treatment or state guarantees) granted to clients in connection with investments in research and development, production or other facilities in the European Union.
Sidley lawyers defend clients in state aid investigations by the European Commission and file complaints against unlawful state subsidies and other forms of state assistance granted to our clients’ competitors. When needed, we help clients negotiate remedies to address the concerns of antitrust authorities in state aid investigations. We also counsel clients on the formalities of privatization and the effect of privatization on the countervailability of subsidies.