Printed from the Field Fisher Waterhouse web site
Web address: http://www.ffw.com/practices/competition-eu-regulatory/international-trade.aspx

Practices

International trade and anti-dumping

Dumping and trade policy is an area where the EU enjoys very wide investigative and regulatory powers and businesses can and do rely on the European Commission to use various trade protection measures to protect them from unfair competition.

A well formulated complaint can secure protection from dumped or subsidised sales. However, unfounded complaints can also be used to attack legitimate trading and blunt competition. Businesses need to be able to protect themselves against such allegations.

Whether as complainant or target, the key is to act quickly and credibly.     
 
Our service

Understanding your business and environment is central to our approach. We map the legal and commercial risks and potential rewards of making or resisting a trade or dumping complaint in context and ruthlessly defend your interests.  

Regulatory investigations can very quickly develop their own momentum and work which is counter to other key business goals and priorities. We ensure that we control any engagement with the regulatory authorities. Through close collaboration with in-house teams, we are able to maintain alignment of the regulatory goals with your commercial interests.

We have extensive experience of working with regulators, and we know what works and what doesn’t. We will work with you on strategic decisions during regulatory investigations whilst striving to achieve a beneficial outcome.

Our experience

We have extensive experience acting for complainants, defendants and interested parties in trade disputes. This includes:

  • advising on the likely effect of making a dumping or other unfair trade complaint
  • making and resisting applications for interim relief
  • drafting pleadings, including complaints and responses to questionnaires
  • data analysis
  • securing protection from disclosure for confidential information
  • negotiating with regulatory authorities to maximise likelihood of successful outcome
  • preparation for and handling of verification visits by regulatory authorities
  • representation at hearings
  • advising on and conducting challenges and appeals