Major infrastructure owners and service providers in industries such as energy, telecommunications, rail, water, aviation and ports are governed by complex regulatory frameworks affecting access to and the ownership and operation of those assets.
Our competition and regulation team have the breadth of experience in a diverse range of economic regulatory frameworks as well as expertise in the interface of regulatory practice and competition law, meaning we are well-placed to help clients who are subject to industry-specific regulation. We provide advice to access seekers and owners of infrastructure assets, as well as buyers, sellers and financiers of those assets.
We also help clients manage and shape their regulatory environment to ensure that they are well-placed to take commercial advantage of growth opportunities while complying with industry-specific regulation.
Our global team advises on price controls and market access, as well as on regulatory issues that arise in merger control proceedings and in relation to regulatory investigations. We also have extensive experience in regulatory complaints, appeals and disputes.
Recent Experience
SOUTHERN WATER
In connection with its PR19 price control review and a possible reference to the UK Competition and Markets Authority
LEADING AUSTRALIAN ENERGY UTILITY PROVIDERS
In connection with the ACCC inquiries into pricing and competition in the gas and electricity sectors – this inquiry has resulted in substantial changes to energy-specific competition laws
EDF
On regulatory, competition and procurement issues relating to the development of new nuclear facilities in UK (Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C)
DIA AND EROSKI
In connection with investigations conducted by the Spanish Agency for Food Information and Control as a result of complaints filed by two trade associations for an alleged infringement of the Spanish Act on Food Supply Chain
INTERCONNECTOR ENERGY ITALIA
On a number of complex regulatory and competition matters relating to the acquisition and financing of the Italy-Montenegro interconnector project – this transaction is considered a "market-first"
THE BAZALGETTE CONSORTIUM (ALLIANZ CAPITAL PARTNERS, DALMORE CAPITAL, AMBER INFRASTRUCTURE AND DIF)
On regulatory, State aid and procurement aspects of its successful bid for the Thames Tideway Tunnel project