Linklaters advised LG Electronics France in connection with the first hybrid settlement decision by the French Competition Authority, following a procedure that lasted eleven years

The competition team at Linklaters Paris, led by partner Anne Wachsmann, advised LG Electronics, both in France and at the group level, in relation to the first hybrid settlement decision adopted by the Competition Authority, with total fines amounting to 611 million euros. For the first time, the Competition Authority acknowledged that settlements do not necessarily have to be signed with all parties involved.

This decision extends other vertical restriction cases, being the fourth highest case in terms of vertical restrictions.

This case followed dawn raids conducted in October 2013, during which Linklaters’ team, Anne Wachsmann and Nicolas Zacharie, were already present to assist LG Electronics in France. The Authority's decision, involving around twenty players in the home appliances sector (17 manufacturers, two distributors, and one professional association), sanctions vertical practices and the exchange of information between competitors.

The competition team at Linklaters Paris consists of partner Anne Wachsmann, counsel Nicolas Zacharie, and associates Daniel Green and Jean-Baptiste Roche.