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Antitrust law - also called competition law - governs how businesses compete and protects consumers and the market from practices that unfairly restrict competition. If you are in Elliniko, a suburb of Athens, the rules that apply are primarily Greek national competition law and European Union competition law. These rules cover cartel behaviour, abuse of a dominant market position, anti-competitive agreements, and controls on mergers and acquisitions that could substantially lessen competition.
Enforcement is carried out by national authorities and courts, and in many cases by EU institutions for matters with cross-border effect. In practice, businesses and consumers in Elliniko are affected by issues that commonly arise in urban and commercial areas - for example, retail agreements, commercial leases, distribution terms, procurement for local projects, and competition concerns linked to major developments and infrastructure in the Athens area.
Antitrust issues are complex and can have serious financial and procedural consequences. You may need a lawyer in the following situations:
- You are a business involved in a merger or acquisition and need to determine whether notification to the authorities is required or desirable.
- You receive a dawn raid, inspection notice, or request for information from the competition authority.
- You face an investigation or formal proceedings alleging cartel activity, price-fixing, market-sharing, bid-rigging, or abuse of a dominant position.
- You want to set up distribution, agency, or commercial agreements and want to ensure the terms comply with competition rules.
- You are a customer, competitor, supplier, or employee and you believe you have been harmed by anti-competitive conduct and want to pursue a private enforcement action for damages or injunctive relief.
- You need advice on compliance programs, internal audits, or a leniency application if your company has been involved in cartel behaviour.
- You are participating in public procurement or bidding processes and suspect collusion or unfair coordination among bidders.
Key legal sources and principles that apply in Elliniko include:
- National law implementing EU competition rules - Greek competition law prohibits agreements that restrict competition, the abuse of a dominant position, and certain merger situations. The national law aligns closely with EU legal standards and case law.
- EU competition law - Articles of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance apply when conduct affects trade between EU Member States or has cross-border effects.
- Enforcement bodies - the national competition authority is responsible for investigating and sanctioning violations at the Greek level. EU-level enforcement is coordinated by the European Commission for matters within its competence.
- Sanctions and remedies - competition authorities can impose significant fines, require behavioural or structural remedies, and order cessation of unlawful practices. Private parties can seek damages and injunctive relief through the courts.
- Merger control - mergers and acquisitions may require notification to the national competition authority when statutory thresholds are met. Transactions of sufficient size and cross-border effect may instead be subject to EU merger control.
- Procedural protections - investigated parties have rights to be heard, to legal representation, and to appeal adverse administrative decisions to the courts. There are specific procedures for dawn raids, requests for information, leniency applications, and settlement mechanisms.
An anti-competitive agreement can be any contract, decision by an association of undertakings, or concerted practice between companies that has the object or effect of restricting competition - for example price-fixing, market or customer allocation, bid-rigging, and certain resale price maintenance practices. Both explicit agreements and tacit collusion fall within scope.
If a company holds a dominant position in a relevant market, it is prohibited from abusing that position - for example by imposing unfair prices, limiting production, refusing to supply without objective justification, or imposing unfair trading conditions that exclude competitors. Dominance is assessed on market share and other structural factors.
Mergers and acquisitions must be reviewed when they meet statutory turnover or market thresholds set by national or EU merger control rules. Whether a notification is required depends on the size of the parties and the geographic scope of their activities - national notification rules apply for transactions with a primarily Greek effect, and EU rules apply for larger transactions crossing Member State borders.
An investigation can involve requests for information, document production, interviews, and on-site inspections. You should preserve relevant documents, stop any potentially problematic conduct, and seek legal advice immediately. You have rights to respond and to legal representation, and you may consider procedural options such as cooperating under leniency rules if applicable.
Yes. Private enforcement allows victims of anti-competitive conduct to claim compensation for losses caused by infringements. Proving a violation and quantifying damages can be complex, often requiring economic and legal evidence. A successful claim may yield compensatory damages and in some cases additional remedies.
Leniency programs allow a company or individual that participated in a cartel to come forward to the competition authority, provide evidence, and potentially receive immunity from fines or reduced penalties. Consider leniency when the authority is not yet aware of your role, or when you can provide decisive evidence - seek immediate legal advice because timing and precise procedural steps are critical.
Antitrust enforcement in Greece is primarily administrative with significant fines and remedies. Some behaviours, such as bid-rigging in public procurement, can attract criminal liability depending on the facts and applicable laws. Consult a lawyer to understand potential civil and criminal exposures in your case.
Resolution times vary widely - from a few months for straightforward merger notifications to several years for complex cartel investigations or litigation. Administrative investigations, appeals, and related civil claims all affect duration. Early legal involvement helps manage timing and strategy.
Evidence can include emails, contracts, invoices, meeting notes, pricing data, bid documents, market studies, witness testimony, and economic analyses. Authorities often rely on documentary and communications evidence to establish agreements or concerted practices. Preserving and organizing documents early is essential.
Practical steps include creating a written competition compliance policy, training staff involved in commercial negotiations and bidding, conducting regular audits of contracts and distribution arrangements, seeking legal review of potentially sensitive agreements, and documenting decisions and commercial justifications. Small businesses should seek tailored advice when uncertain about specific arrangements.
For someone in Elliniko seeking more information or assistance, useful resources and bodies to consider include:
- The national competition authority - the body that enforces competition rules in Greece and issues guidance on competition law matters.
- The European Commission - Directorate-General for Competition - for EU-level policy, decisions, and guidance on cross-border cases.
- Local courts and administrative tribunals that handle appeals and private enforcement actions related to competition decisions.
- Professional associations and trade bodies that publish sector-specific guidance on competition compliance.
- Law firms and lawyers specialising in competition law, many of whom are based in Athens and can provide local expertise for Elliniko matters.
- Consumer protection agencies and business associations, which can provide information on rights and common issues in commercial markets.
If you believe you have an antitrust issue in Elliniko or need advice:
- Act promptly - competition claims and investigations involve strict procedural steps and possible time limits.
- Gather and preserve evidence - keep copies of contracts, emails, bids, pricing records, meeting notes, and other relevant documents in a secure location.
- Avoid destroying or altering documents - doing so can lead to sanctions and worsen legal exposure.
- Contact a lawyer with experience in Greek and EU competition law - an experienced practitioner can assess whether the matter is best handled at the national level, the EU level, or through private litigation.
- Consider immediate procedural options - for example, preparing a response to an authority request, applying for leniency if appropriate, or filing for injunctive relief to stop ongoing harm.
- Plan a compliance strategy - if you are a business, implementing or updating competition compliance policies and staff training can reduce future risk and demonstrate good faith to authorities.
Remember that antitrust matters combine legal analysis with economic evidence. A local specialist can help you understand the specific implications for businesses and consumers in Elliniko and guide you through enforcement procedures and court processes. This guide is informational and does not replace personalised legal advice.
