As one of the UK’s leading firms advising the public sector, many of our clients are affected by the EU rules which restrict the provision of financial and other assistance to organisations in a way that would distort fair competition.
As such, we have accumulated a wealth of experience in advising on matters relating to state aid and when it can be validly given.
Our recognised team of experts, many of whom lecture on the subject, are able to break down the complexities of legislation governing state aid to give pragmatic, solution-focused advice.
Their expertise covers a range of areas including the use of the general and SGEI de minimis exemptions and the General Block Exemption Regulations (GBER).
Our experience of advising aid providers and recipients means we are able to propose suitably tailored routes to state aid compliance for our clients.
Case highlights
- Drafting numerous acts of entrustment, including for the National Association of Citizens Advice bureaux in relation to SGEI advice services for benefit claimants and the provision of online advice centres.
- Advising local authority on its participation / funding of a company to deliver improved broadband/Wi-Fi and a JV company to redevelop part of the town in its area – emphasis on state aid and competition law.
- Advising a single purpose Waste Disposal Authority on state aid and competition law issues in connection with it making capital contributions in a PPP/PFI project.
- Advising a central government department on the state aid compliance of a multi-million pound grant to a number of Scottish local authorities for services of general economic interest (SGEIs).
- Conducting, in conjunction with a senior BIS adviser, an all-day seminar on state aid issues and the notification process for civil servants operating a national grant funding programme.
- Advising central government department on state aid – very high profile scheme with a value of c£150 million including advice on the extent to which the state aid rules were engaged, the exemptions available and how to use them.
What others say
Latest Sharpe Focus Newsletter
State Aid and Competition
-
Brexit Update – State Aid
Although the rapid spread of COVID-19 has launched the UK into uncertain and unprecedented times, the UK’s future relationship with the EU is still being actively negotiated. The European Commission Read more
-
The State aid role of the Competition and Markets Authority in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit
On 21 January 2019 the Government laid The State Aid (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 before Parliament, outlining the domestic State aid regime in the event that the UK leaves the Read more
Sharpe Pritchard latest news and blog
State Aid and Competition
-
Unlawful Award of Contract
The High Court has ruled that the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Michael Gove, broke the law by giving a contract to a market research company, Public First, who are Read more
-
The use of experts only works when everyone plays by the same rules
During a trial, the TCC prevents a Defendant from relying on 3 experts’ reports because of breaches of CPR Part 35 On day 7 of the trial in Dana UK Read more
