Competition Law

Our Competition Law team provides a comprehensive advisory and transactional service and supports clients in competition authority criminal investigations.

Expertise

Our specialists deliver a comprehensive advisory service to a wide range of clients operating in highly regulated sectors. We act for leading corporations, such as Unilever, along with SMEs and industry bodies including the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, and the Society of the Irish Motor Industry.

We support clients in meeting regulatory requirements, including notifying mergers to the Irish Competition Authority.

Our team is also highly experienced in competition litigation. We have represented clients in major cases with far-reaching implications for competition across a wide range of business and commercial activity, including the pharmaceutical and grocery sectors.

We have also acted for defendants in competition law criminal prosecutions in the Central Criminal Court, including the landmark case of DPP-v-PG Duffy & Sons Limited and Patrick Duffy.

Services

  • Advisory services
  • Merger notifications
  • Litigation
  • Criminal prosecutions
‘The individuals at Hayes are knowledgeable and reliable. Specific partners, such as David Phelan, I’ve worked with are proactive, detail-oriented, and committed to delivering results, making them a pleasure to collaborate with.’
Legal 500 2025
‘Joe O'Malley is highly regarded for his hands-on approach and exceptional dedication to his clients. His personal touch is evident in every case, as he takes the time to truly understand his clients' needs and craft bespoke strategies that deliver results.'
Legal 500 2025
‘David Phelan has been a long-standing advisor to the organisation. He combines razor-sharp intellect with an innate understanding of our business. He has a wide breadth of experience and expertise.’
Legal 500 2025
'Laura Fannin is an exceptional professional in her area of expertise. Laura's expertise of data protection law, especially around cookies and other technologies and the complexity around consent in this context, is unmatched in my experience.'
Legal 500 2025
‘Jeremy Erwin and Joe O'Malley are both excellent lawyers - always responsive with good legal and commercial advice.’
Legal 500 2025
‘Laura Fannin is my main contact. Always available, always cuts to the chase. Not afraid to advise on the commercially sound approach.’
Legal 500 2025
'On EU and competition, David Phelan ‘brings a business brain to solving issues’
The Legal 500: Europe, Middle East & Africa
'He is very bright, reads everything and is incredibly hard-working. He's a fantastic solicitor. Joe is very hands-on.'
Chambers and Partners 2025
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