State Aid

State aid is a vital area of European competition law that has come under much scrutiny following the recent economic downturn that affected the global market. The term “aid” is broadly construed and, broadly speaking, refers to the granting of a selective advantage by an EU Member State to a market operator and may, if of a nature that distorts competition and affects cross-border trade, have to be repaid by the defaulting Member State. Our EU & Regulatory Law Department has extensive experience in EU state aid rules and has frequently advised clients including third parties and the public sector on their application, including in the context of financing transactions and private finance initiative (PFI) in the creation of public-private partnership deals.

Fenech & Fenech Advocates, through its EU & Regulatory law Department, is in a position to assist the firm and its Clients with the following pertinent objectives:

¤ Advising clients on state aid issues that stem from privatisations or the disposal of government-owned assets;

¤ Advising clients on the consequences of unlawful state aid and managing recovery proceedings;

¤ Assisting the recipients of alleged state aid in court cases.