Competition and consumer protection
Intellectual and industrial property
June 25, 2020Entering companies into the Polish market and partnerships establishing
June 25, 2020-
In today’s increasingly competitive markets and with rising consumer expectations, compliance with competition and consumer protection laws is critical to the success of any business. Even dynamic and open markets are governed by legal frameworks designed to ensure fair competition and protect consumers.
Failure to adhere to these regulations can lead to severe financial penalties — up to 10% of a company’s revenue — imposed by the President of the Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (Urząd Ochrony Konkurencji i Konsumentów, UOKiK). Partnering with trusted legal advisors can mitigate this risk and secure your business interests.
At APLAW, we help businesses navigate these complex legal landscapes by minimizing exposure to antitrust and consumer rights risks while maximizing business potential.
Our legal services include:
- representation in proceedings related to anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant market position, or practices that violate collective consumer rights;
- assistance during searches and inspections by antitrust authorities;
- representation in appeals of the Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (Urząd Ochrony Konkurencji i Konsumentów, UOKiK) decisions before the Court of Competition and Consumer Protection (Sąd Ochrony Konkurencji i Konsumentów, SOKiK), the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court;
- advocacy before the European Commission in competition-related cases;
- representation in arbitration disputes involving consumer law;
- legal representation before the Polish Trade Inspection Authority;
- guidance on leniency programs for penalty reduction;
- review and drafting of vertical and horizontal distribution agreements, cooperation agreements, and other commercial contracts to eliminate unfair contract terms;
- comprehensive antitrust audits using forensic technology and AI-based tools;
- review and preparation of terms of service, contracts, and policies (including for e-commerce) to ensure compliance with consumer protection regulations;
- legal support in merger control, from preliminary analysis and filings to implementing conditions for regulatory approval;
- compliance program development to help companies align with competition and market regulations;
- advising on green marketing practices to avoid greenwashing violations;
- reviewing marketing campaigns, advertising, and promotional strategies to ensure consumer law compliance, including evaluating user interfaces and purchasing flows to prevent deceptive design practices (dark patterns);
- advising on payment delay regulations;
- customized training on competition and consumer protection for executives and sales or marketing teams.
Client benefits:
- legal-compliant business growth;
- reduced risk of financial penalties and reputational damage;
- protection against unfair competition;
- enhanced customer trust through a legally sound, positive brand image;
- expert representation during regulatory investigations and disputes.
Why partner with us?
- we offer comprehensive legal services in competition, consumer protection, and compliance, with tailored solutions for e-commerce;
- our team has extensive experience representing clients in complex competition law and consumer rights matters;
- we take a proactive and preventive approach to legal risk management;
- in crisis situations, we provide swift, effective legal support at every stage of the proces;
- our use of advanced technologies, including forensic IT and AI-based tools, ensures top-tier service delivery;
- our training programs raise legal awareness and help prevent future violations.
Who we serve:
- companies across all industries, from small enterprises to large corporations;
- businesses planning mergers, acquisitions, or consolidations;
- e-commerce operators;
- financial service providers.
Contact us for more details.
