About
David advises on all areas of EU and UK competition law, particularly in the energy, manufacturing, media, retail, transport and telecoms sectors. He also advises on regulatory issues in connection with privatised utilities.
His knowledge of a broad range of industries coupled with well-established relations with regulatory agencies give him an unparalleled understanding of antitrust issues. He draws on this to deliver innovative, comprehensive and practical solutions to clients on complex matters across multiple jurisdictions.
David has to regularly co-ordinate resources across borders and so is adept at managing the large teams of lawyers, economists and public relations advisers needed for such matters. Clients describe him as an ‘effective buffer’ between them and the regulator.
David was the joint head of our antitrust, competition and trade practice for several years, and served as the firm’s global managing partner from 2013 to 2016.
- Acting for NEC on the first cartel settlement case (in relation to semi-conductors) by the European Commission and subsequently in persuading the Commission to drop its case against NEC in relation to optical disc drives in an inquiry where it fined all other major market players.
- Advising Sony Pictures on a proceeding commenced by the European Commission in relation to the free movement of movies on pay television.
- Advising Ardagh Packaging on a series of acquisitions, most recently in relation to the purchase of a substantial package of assets that Ball Corporation had to sell following its acquisition of Rexam.
- Advising CVC and Formula One on the sale of Formula One to Liberty Media Group.
- Advising Random House on investigations by the UK's Office of Fair Trading and the European Commission into how ebooks are sold.
David Aitman
100 Bishopsgate