This market leader was strengthened further by the 2005 merger with Osório de Castro, Verde Pinho, Vieira Peres, Lobo Xavier e Associados, widely considered northern Portugal’s “leading authority on competition law.” Sources point out that the firm now boasts comprehensive teams in both Lisbon and Porto, headed by two of the market’s most highly regarded practitioners, and played a major role in both outstanding deals of the year. In addition to merger control work, the team handled several cases in the area of restrictive practices and advised on state aid matters. Following the increase in the Portuguese Competition Authority’s activity, the team is also focusing on closer collaboration with other departments, participating in deals from the beginning and highlighting potential problems. Clients are full of praise for this approach: “The lawyers think on a business level and use the law to find solutions.” Telecoms and energy have become particular areas of expertise for the team. Clients/Work Highlights: The firm represented AGEPOR, the Shipping Agents Association of Portugal, before the Lisbon Commerce Court over a fine for the alleged anti-competitive practice of price-fixing. The team represented the Portuguese television broadcaster SIC in two cases against the Commission before the Court of First Instance. The state-controlled electricity system operator Rede Eléctrica Nacional instructed the firm on the filing of the acquisition of the natural gas regulated assets from Galp Energia as part of the energy sector restructuring aimed at improving competition. Other clients include Águas de Portugal; BCP; Sociedade Central de Cervejas and Sonaecom.

This market leader was strengthened further by the 2005 merger with Osório de Castro, Verde Pinho, Vieira Peres, Lobo Xavier & Associados, widely considered northern Portugal’s “leading authority on competition law.” Sources point out that the firm now boasts comprehensive teams in both Lisbon and Porto, headed by two of the market’s most highly regarded practitioners, and played a major role in both outstanding deals of the year. In addition to merger control work, the team handled several cases in the area of restrictive practices and advised on state aid matters. Following the increase in the Portuguese Competition Authority’s activity, the team is also focusing on closer collaboration with other departments, participating in deals from the beginning and highlighting potential problems. Clients are full of praise for this approach: “The lawyers think on a business level and use the law to find solutions.” Telecoms and energy have become particular areas of expertise for the team. Clients/Work Highlights: The firm represented Agepor - Associação Nacional dos Agentes de Navegação before the Lisbon Commerce Court over a fine for the alleged anti-competitive practice of price-fixing. The team represented the Portuguese television broadcaster SIC in two cases against the Commission before the Court of First Instance. The state-controlled electricity system operator Rede Eléctrica Nacional instructed the firm on the filing of the acquisition of the natural gas regulated assets from Galp Energia as part of the energy sector restructuring aimed at improving competition. Other clients include Águas de Portugal; BCP; Sociedade Central de Cervejas and SonaeCom.

Carlos Botelho Moniz, head of EU and competition at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares Da Silva & Associados is regularly mentioned as one of the country's leading experts. Together with acclaimed practitioner Joaquim Vieira Peres, the firm boasts one of the strongest specialised teams in the market. Highlights include acting for EDP - Electricidade de Portugal SA in four merger control filings before the Portuguese Competition Authority and one before the European Commission and a subsequent appeal to the Court of First Instance.

Observers admire the “quiet and cool approach” of Carlos Botelho Moniz. Clients add: “He is fantastically knowledgeable and displays experience and maturity in his strategies and dealings with the competition authority.”

J J Vieira Peres joined the firm with the merger and heads the team in Porto. According to a satisfied client, he is an “incredibly professional, thorough and rigorous lawyer with a gift for understanding the business specifics and an immense knowledge of matters both locally and in Brussels.”

Younger lawyer Margarida Rosado da Fonseca has made a name for herself over the past few years: “She is straight to the point and consistent in her work, no doubt a star of the future.”

Observers admire the “quiet and cool approach” of Carlos Botelho Moniz. Clients add: “He is fantastically knowledgeable and displays experience and maturity in his strategies and dealings with the competition authority.”

J J Vieira Peres joined the firm with the merger and heads the team in Porto. According to a satisfied client, he is an “incredibly professional, thorough and rigorous lawyer with a gift for understanding the business specificities and an immense knowledge of matters both locally and in Brussels.”

Younger lawyer Margarida Rosado da Fonseca has made a name for herself over the past few years: “She is straight to the point and consistent in her work, no doubt a star of the future.”