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Browne Jacobson LLP’s team attracts many accolades from clients. The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Matthew Woodford is appreciated for his ‘commerciality and rapid responses’, and has particular experience in behavioural competition law and merger control. The practice has an impressive array of national and international clients in sectors such as retail, grocery, automotive, manufacturing, construction and leisure; names include Sol Construction and North Midland Construction.

Pinsent Masons LLP has a dedicated team that ‘always gives measured and thorough advice’. Clients include household names such as Sellafield and Siemens, and new gains Amey and OFWAT. The team advised Hanson UK on the recent market study by the OFT into the supply of aggregates, cement and ready-mix concrete in the UK. Giles Warrington is highlighted for his reliability.

Wragge & Co LLP has a ‘solutions-orientated’ practice, and advises on the full range of EU regulatory, trade law and state aid issues, acting for clients such as Aston Martin Lagonda and Premier Foods. The ‘very experienced’ Bernardine Adkins is highly rated for her contentious work. The team advised Thomas Vale Group on its appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal over the magnitude of the fine imposed by the OFT.

Richard Prowse is a key contact at Eversheds LLP. The team advised Dover Harbour Board on the s31 Harbour Act proceedings under which the ferry operators challenged the level of the 2010 and 2011 harbour duties. Other significant clients include Severn Trent and Birmingham Airport. The firm remains active in the areas of investigations, dawn raids and state aid.

SGH Martineau LLP, which recently opened a new office in Brussels, advises on all aspects of EU law and also attracts a steady flow of procurement and state aid instructions. Its wide-ranging client base includes Aegis Engineering, Foresight Group and Wolverhampton City Council. London-based James Dilley heads the team, while Andrew Whitehead is a key contact at the Birmingham office.

At Cobbetts LLP, Leeds-based practice head Jonathan Branton is ‘committed to finding a way through issues’, and is particularly recommended for his state aid expertise. The firm advises Jaguar Land Rover, UCAS and Liverpool City Council, and has secured panel appointments with Cornwall Development Company and Mexichem Group.

Andrew Evans leads the team at Gateley, whose recent work includes advising on three construction cartels.

The ‘knowledgeable’ Peter Andrews heads the team at Shoosmiths, and divides his time between Nottingham and Birmingham. He has particular expertise in the domestic electrical goods, building materials and automotive sectors. Significant clients include Electrolux, John Deere, Open University and Amazon.

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Legal Developments in West Midlands for EU and competition

  • US rules regarding offshore accounts

    The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act 2010, enacted on 18 March 2010, imposes a new US withholding tax and reporting regime, known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). The FATCA regime applies generally to payments made after 31 December 2012, except on obligations (to be defined in future guidance) outstanding on 18 March 2012. Substantial effort is required by foreign entities to bring their worldwide operations and policies into compliance with the FATCA rules as of the effective date.

    - Jones Day

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