State aid law plays a crucial role in the functioning of markets, ensuring a level playing field. The importance of state aid law has been brought into sharp relief in the latest global financial crisis.

State aid is always an issue in privatisations, which remain on government agendas. Government involvement or funding in major projects raises state aid issues for private sector bidders as well as for government.

Our sector-focused team of lawyers has over 15 years of experience in advising government in the UK on state aid issues. Our experience in advising in privatisations in expanding economies is second to none.

Companies engaging with the state in any transactional capacity should contact us for advice on how we can ensure a smooth progress to deals, so companies get to focus on their new business opportunities.

Relevant experience includes advising:

• On stranded costs and other state aid issues arising in relation to the privatisation of Slovakian nuclear power generation (Slovenske Elektrarne)
• Government funding for renewable energy – state aid implications for windfarm developers
• State aid aspects of power purchase agreements in Poland arising on the liberalisation of the sector
• Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen on state aid notifications in a series of acquisitions through privatisation, including in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary. Notably obtaining the final decision from the European Commission following in-depth investigation of  Erste’s acquisition of the Hungarian Postabank for HUF 101.3 billion
• Erste Bank on the Austrian Aid Scheme for financial institutions, including advice on European Commission’s 2008 and following years guidance on state aid in the financial crisis and on specific member state schemes
• A bidder in the privatisation of Oltchim 
• Department for Transport on state aid issues regarding the Channel Tunnel Rail Link