Competition and regulated markets

Competition law and regulated markets

Brinkhof advises and represents clients in relation to EU Competition law and EU regulatory matters before the European Commission, EU and national courts and other EU regulatory and judicial bodies. At Brinkhof, we possess an in-depth knowledge of EU competition law and EU market regulation in sectors such as telecoms, media, technology, and platforms. We are able to put together teams with complementary skills, combining EU procedural knowhow and industry expertise.

Competition law

Our primary areas of focus include competition investigations, merger control, FDI regulation, state aid and private enforcement of competition law. With a wealth of experience, we assist companies in navigating proceedings before the European Commission and the national authorities, the national courts and the Court of Justice of the European Union. We also represent companies in antitrust damages actions, including class actions.

Regulated markets

Brinkhof is a market leader in regulatory matters within the telecoms, media, technology and platforms sector, including the Digital Markets Act. Brinkhof also has considerable expertise in various other regulated markets, including the postal, healthcare, transport, aviation, games of chance, and energy sectors.

EU dimension

We also regularly advise on lobbying options aimed at clarifying issues of EU competition law with significant business impact, and design and coordinate litigation strategies across EU Member States. For example, we advise a range of multinational technology clients on their pan-EU compliance and litigation strategy with respect to EU competition law and regulatory matters.

“Pepijn is the calmest head under pressure. He is always reassuring and he is excellent with clients.”

Among others, we have assisted

Google in competition litigation regarding the Play Store, AdTech and decisions by the European Commission;
Another online platform in various EC proceedings regarding digital regulation, such as the Digital Markets Act;
Reggefiber and KPN in several mergers that enabled it to become the market leader for NGA networks;
KPN in various proceedings before the General Court concerning broadcasting rights;
Heineken, FedEx and Diageo in damages cases arising from the EU truck cartel decision;
Eurofiber and Rabo CIF in proceedings concerning EU state aid rules pertaining to broadband networks;
Expedia in an investigation by various regulators into compliance with EU regulations;

Rankings

Our competition and EU law team has been ranked Tier 2 in The Legal 500 EMEA 2025 and Band 3 in Chambers Europe 2025. These recognitions are based on independent research, client feedback, and our role in leading competition law cases.