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Antitrust litigation covers legal disputes and enforcement actions that arise when businesses or individuals are affected by anti-competitive conduct. In Elliniko, a suburb of Athens within the Attica region, antitrust cases are handled under Greek competition law and - where applicable - European Union competition law. Enforcement can be administrative, through the Hellenic Competition Commission and other national authorities, and judicial, through administrative and civil courts. Cases range from cartel and price-fixing investigations to claims about abuse of a dominant position, anti-competitive agreements, and merger reviews that may affect local markets.
Antitrust matters often involve complex economic analysis, detailed documentary evidence, and strict procedural rules. You may need a lawyer if any of the following apply:
- You are a business under investigation or subject to a dawn-raid or inspection.
- Your company receives a complaint, statement of objections, or a decision from the competition authority.
- You believe a competitor is engaging in price-fixing, market allocation, bid-rigging, or other cartel activity that harms you or your customers.
- You suspect a supplier or dominant firm is abusing its market power - for example by imposing unfair terms, tying products, or excluding rivals.
- You want to file a complaint with the Hellenic Competition Commission or seek interim measures to stop ongoing harm.
- You wish to bring a private damages claim for losses caused by anti-competitive conduct, or defend against such a claim.
- You are involved in a merger or acquisition that may trigger notification or review obligations.
Key elements relevant to antitrust litigation in Elliniko include the following:
- Legal framework - Greek competition law, principally enacted in Law 3959/2011 and subsequent amendments, implements EU competition rules and governs anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position, and other infringements. EU law - including Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union - applies directly and can take precedence in cross-border or EU-significant cases.
- Enforcement bodies - The Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC - Επιτροπή Ανταγωνισμού) is the main national authority for investigation and administrative sanctions. The HCC can impose fines, accept commitments, and order interim measures. For matters that meet EU thresholds or are of EU interest, the European Commission may be involved.
- Types of prohibited conduct - Cartels and collusive agreements, abuse of dominant position, anti-competitive vertical restraints, and certain restrictive practices are all subject to enforcement.
- Investigations and procedures - The HCC conducts investigations, can carry out inspections and dawn raids, gathers evidence, issues statements of objections, and adopts decisions. Parties have procedural rights - including the right to be heard and to defend themselves - and decisions may be appealed in the administrative courts.
- Private enforcement - Affected firms and consumers can pursue civil remedies, such as injunctions and monetary damages, before the courts. National rules interact with EU-level principles on access to evidence and compensation for victims of competition law breaches.
- Remedies and sanctions - Administrative fines, cease-and-desist orders, commitments, and interim measures are common. Civil courts may order damages, restitution, and injunctive relief. Cross-border cooperation between the HCC and other EU competition authorities supports coordinated enforcement.
- Procedural timelines and rights - There are statutory time limits and procedural steps for both administrative and judicial review. Parties should act promptly, preserve evidence, and respect duties not to destroy or conceal relevant documents.
If you have evidence that competitors agreed on prices, divided markets, coordinated bids, or if a supplier or dominant company is imposing unfair terms that restrict competition, you may have a case. Antitrust claims often involve repeated patterns, communications between competitors, or contract terms that foreclose rivals. A lawyer can review your facts and advise whether the conduct falls within competition law.
The Hellenic Competition Commission enforces national competition law. You can file a complaint with the HCC if you suspect anti-competitive conduct. Depending on the case, the European Commission or other EU authorities may also have jurisdiction for matters with a broader EU dimension.
Both consumers and businesses can be affected by anti-competitive conduct. Consumers may participate in collective actions or bring individual claims where national rules allow. Businesses commonly bring private damages claims or seek injunctions. Remedies depend on the nature of harm and available evidence.
Remedies include administrative fines and orders to stop anti-competitive conduct, commitments accepted by authorities, interim measures to prevent ongoing harm, and civil remedies such as damages, restitution, and injunctions ordered by courts. The appropriate remedy depends on whether you pursue administrative enforcement, civil litigation, or both.
Leniency programs allow participants in a cartel to report the conduct to the competition authority in exchange for reduced fines or immunity. If you are part of a cartel, legal counsel is essential before approaching the authority. For victims, leniency decisions can be an important source of evidence in civil claims.
Times vary widely. Administrative investigations can take months to years depending on complexity. Judicial proceedings for damages or appeals may also take several years. Early legal advice can help manage expectations, prioritize remedies such as interim measures, and preserve evidence to move your case efficiently.
Yes. Both administrative authorities and courts can, in appropriate circumstances, order interim measures to prevent immediate and irreparable harm. The availability and scope of interim relief will depend on the urgency of the situation, the strength of the evidence, and the legal tests applied by the decision-maker.
Strong antitrust cases usually rely on documents, emails, meeting notes, pricing data, internal analyses, witness testimony, and economic evidence showing the effect on competition and damages. Parties should preserve potentially relevant documents and be cautious about destroying evidence. Competition investigations may also produce formal evidence through inspections and requests for information.
If the competition authority finds an infringement, it may impose administrative fines on companies and responsible individuals. The level of fines depends on the seriousness and duration of the infringement, the companys turnover, any mitigating factors (such as cooperation), and applicable legal rules. Decisions can usually be appealed before the administrative courts.
Look for lawyers or law firms with specific experience in competition law, EU competition matters, and litigation. Consider experience with the Hellenic Competition Commission, economic evidence, and cross-border cases. You can also ask for referrals from the Athens Bar Association and check law firm biographies, case histories, and client references. Schedule an initial consultation to discuss your case and fee arrangements.
Useful bodies and organizations to consult or contact include:
- Hellenic Competition Commission - the national competition authority responsible for investigations and enforcement.
- Ministry of Development and Investment - relevant ministry for competition policy and market regulation.
- European Commission - Directorate-General for Competition - for matters with an EU dimension.
- Athens Bar Association - for lawyer referrals within the Athens jurisdiction, which covers Elliniko.
- Consumer protection bodies and the National Consumer Secretariat - for consumer-focused concerns and guidance on rights.
- Administrative and civil courts - for guidance on judicial remedies and appeals processes.
If you believe you need legal assistance in antitrust litigation, consider the following practical steps:
- Preserve evidence - Immediately preserve emails, contracts, meeting notes, pricing records, and any other potentially relevant documents. Avoid deleting or altering files.
- Seek early legal advice - Contact a lawyer with competition law experience for an initial assessment and to advise on risks, options, and strategy.
- Decide your approach - Your lawyer can help determine whether to file a complaint with the Hellenic Competition Commission, seek interim relief, pursue civil damages, or negotiate settlements or commitments.
- Prepare for costs and timing - Ask about fee structures, likely timelines, and possible outcomes so you can plan resources and expectations.
- Cooperate with investigations carefully - If your business is under scrutiny, follow legal guidance on responding to information requests and inspections to protect your rights.
- Use local support - If you are located in or near Elliniko, engage counsel familiar with Greek and EU competition practice and the local courts.
Acting promptly and with experienced counsel improves the chance of preserving your legal position, stopping ongoing harm, and securing appropriate remedies. If you need help finding a specialist or preparing an initial complaint, contact an antitrust lawyer for a confidential consultation.
