Competition, distribution, consumer affairs

The practice of competition and distribution law is at the core of hw&h’s expertise. The firm assists international groups and their subsidiaries, as well as French companies, particularly in the industrial, agricultural, large-scale distribution and services sectors, in their development strategy, assisting them in all their contractual relations with their partners concerning regulatory aspects related to distribution, competition and consumer law.

In a litigation context, the team’s lawyers put into place a litigation strategy with their clients and represent them before all courts or in out-of-court settlements. hw&h also advises the firm’s clients concerning their relations with public authorities and potential related litigation.

In 2023, the Team is ranked ‘Excellent‘ in the categories « Distribution law », « Online gaming and betting » and « Antitrust ». The Team is also ranked ‘Highly recommended‘ in the categories « Commercial litigation », « Franchise law » and « Merger control ».

Distribution law
  • Distribution networks
  • E-commerce (GCU/ GCS, personal data)
  • Producer-distributor relations
  • Termination of distribution agreements, breaking off of commercial relations

 

Competition law
  • Pricing policy
  • Anti-competitive practices
  • Restrictive practices
  • Unfair competition
  • Assistance in French and EU competition investigations

 

Advertising and promotion of sales law
  • Unfair, misleading and aggressive trade practices
  • Comparative advertising
  • Validation of advertising campaigns
  • Promotional campaigns
  • Sponsoring operations
  • Advertiser/agency contracts and advertiser/media broker contracts

 

Consumer law
  • General conditions of sale
  • Distance selling
  • Unfair clauses litigation
  • Relations with the administration and consumer associations
  • Mass litigation

 

Sectoral regulations
  • Telecoms
  • Games
  • Cooperatives
  • Energies
  • Insurance

 

 

News
Competition, distribution, consumer affairs

« Neutre en carbone » - « Respectueux de l’environnement » : les entreprises doivent porter une vigilance particulièrement accrue aux allégations environnementales

- Flash news

La multiplication des propositions de directives européennes sur les allégations environnementales et la campagne de la Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF) contre le greenwashing témoigne d’une attention particulière des autorités et doit inciter les entreprises à la plus grande vigilance sur cette question. Une allégation environnementale est une mention qui valorise tout ou partie d’un produit pour ses caractéristiques environnementales ((https://www.economie.gouv.fr/dgccrf/allegations-environnementales-ce-quil-faut-retenir)). L’allégation doit être fiable, ne doit pas être trompeuse… Lire la suite

Competition, distribution, consumer affairs

“Carbon neutral” - “Environmentally friendly”: companies need to be particularly vigilant when it comes to environmental claims.

- Flash news

The growing number of proposals for European directives on environmental claims, and the campaign led by the Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF) against greenwashing, bear witness to the authorities' particular attention to this issue and should encourage companies to exercise the utmost vigilance. An environmental claim is a statement that promotes all or part of a product for its environmental characteristics ((https://www.economie.gouv.fr/dgccrf/allegations-environnementales-ce-quil-faut-retenir)). The claim must be reliable, not misleading or… Read more

Competition, distribution, consumer affairs

“Carbon neutral” - “Environmentally friendly”: companies need to be particularly vigilant when it comes to environmental claims.

- Flash news

The growing number of proposals for European directives on environmental claims, and the campaign led by the Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF) against greenwashing, bear witness to the authorities' particular attention to this issue and should encourage companies to exercise the utmost vigilance. An environmental claim is a statement that promotes all or part of a product for its environmental characteristics ((https://www.economie.gouv.fr/dgccrf/allegations-environnementales-ce-quil-faut-retenir)). The claim must be reliable, not misleading or… Lesen Sie weiter

Competition, distribution, consumer affairs, Industrial risks and Insurance, Corporate - M&A, Intellectual property, Real estate law and Environment, Labor law

INFO COVID-19 : hw&h reste ouvert pendant le confinement!

Mesdames, Messieurs, Chers clients, Depuis le 30 octobre, la France vit un nouveau confinement, applicable jusqu’au 1er décembre a minima. Bien évidemment, le cabinet hw&h reste ouvert et à votre disposition pour vous accompagner et assurer la sauvegarde de vos droits. En attendant de pouvoir vous retrouver, nous vous proposons de privilégier les échanges via audioconférence ou visioconférence. En cas de besoin, nous continuons bien sûr de vous accueillir dans nos locaux et pouvons vous fournir une attestation dérogatoire pour… Lire la suite

Competition, distribution, consumer affairs, Industrial risks and Insurance, Corporate - M&A, Intellectual property, Real estate law and Environment, Labor law

INFO COVID-19 : hw&h remains open during lockdown!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear customers, Since 30 October, France is subject to a new lockdown, applicable at least until 1st December. Of course, hw&h remains open and at your disposal to assist you and ensure the protection of your rights. Until we meet again, we suggest to give priority to exchange via telephone or video conference. If needed, we will of course continue to welcome you at our office and provide you with a certificate authorising your arrival. On site,… Read more

Competition, distribution, consumer affairs, Industrial risks and Insurance, Corporate - M&A, Intellectual property, Real estate law and Environment, Labor law

COVID-19: hw&h bleibt während des Lockdowns offen!

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, liebe Mandantinnen und Mandanten, Seit dem 30 Oktober befindet sich Frankreich in einem neuen « Lockdown » ; es werden noch bis mindestens 1. Dezember Ausgangssperren gelten. Unsere Kanzlei hw&h bleibt selbstverständlich für Sie geöffnet und erreichbar, um Sie zu begleiten und Ihre Rechte zu verteidigen. Bis wir uns wieder persönlich treffen können, werden wir die meisten Besprechungen per Telefon oder Videokonferenz abhalten. Auf Wunsch können wir Sie jedoch auch zu einem persönlichen Treffen in unseren Räumlichkeiten empfangen… Lesen Sie weiter