Robert Eriksson
Biography
Robert is a counsel in the Antitrust & Competition Practice Group of Baker McKenzie's London office, advising clients on EU and UK competition law and national security matters across various industries, including life sciences, oil & gas, construction materials, financial services, and retail. He also works closely with the Competition team in the Stockholm office. He previously worked as a Senior Case Officer at the Swedish Competition Authority and has been on secondment to the Financial Conduct Authority's Competition Division.
Robert is recognised as a Future Leader in Competition Law UK by Who's Who Legal. Clients cite his "in-depth knowledge, expertise and ability to think ‘outside the box’ and provide rapid responses and really tailored advice” and his “excellence in strategic thinking and business acumen." Feedback from clients include the following:
"I would have no hesitation in recommending Robert. He offers in-depth knowledge, expertise and often thinks ‘outside the box’. He also takes the time to get to know you so that he can provide rapid responses and really tailored advice. Robert used to work for a competition authority and has great insight and the mindset of the competition authorities in general. He is able to look at things from both sides of the argument. Robert exceeded my expectations. He was proactive and impressed me with his compassionate element, and not only did he get to know me personally, he protected me from the issues as much as possible.” - Director for client in pharmaceutical sector
"Robert is a knowledgeable, professional and proactive lawyer who is always looking out for its clients’ interest, and will go an extra mile. He is able to navigate complex matters with ease and positivity, and his advice is balanced, clear and anchored in commercial reality. Robert inspires confidence and leads its clients to the best possible outcomes for them." - Senior Legal Counsel, Financial Services sector
Practice Focus
Robert has over 20 years experience of advising clients on merger control matters, cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, including attending dawn raids (both in private practice and for authorities) and market investigations. He also represents clients in foreign investment review cases.
Representative Legal Matters
Robert's experience includes advising:
- a global manufacturer of construction chemicals during dawn raids conducted by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the European Commission (EC), and other regulators, including advising the client in relation to the CMA's subsequent investigation.
- a broker firm on the multijurisdictional cartel investigation into LIBOR manipulation by e.g. the EC, US DoJ and other authorities.
- a trade association in relation to an EC antitrust investigation, including advising the client during the dawn raid and drafting commitments accepted by the EC.
- a pharmaceutical supplier in relation to a CMA cartel investigation, including advice in relation to the settlement process and director disqualification procedures.
- adidas in relation to a competition law based claim before the Competition Appeal Tribunal by retailer Sports Direct against the Premier League football club Newcastle United FC, JD Sports and adidas.
- a retailer on the acquisition of a competitor in a '3-to-2' transaction, obtaining CMA's unconditional merger control clearance in Phase 1.
- a leading pharmaceutical supplier on merger control and foreign investment review in relation to the sale of its Chinese business and acquisition of European assets of a competitor.
- Kohlberg & Company LLC on merger control and foreign investment review in relation to the acquisition of Worldwide Clinical Trials, a global full service contract research organization.
- a manufacturer of medical devices on an acquisition of a competitor, obtaining unconditional merger control clearance under the De Minimis exception.
- ZCCM Investment Holdings on merger control in relation to the acquisition by Delta Mining Ltd of 51% of Mopani Copper Mines, a Zambian copper producer.
- various clients on UK and multijurisdictional merger notifications, including notifications to the CMA in the UK, the EC and on multijurisdictional filings, as well as requests by the CMA's Merger Intelligence Committee.
- clients in relation to CMA's Retail Banking and Aggregates market investigations.
- clients seeking clearance for transactions from the Investment Security Unit under the National Security & Investment Act.
As a Senior Case Officer at the Swedish Competition Authority (SCA), Robert's experience included being:
- Case handler on an abuse of dominance case involving a multinational group’s alleged foreclosure of an after-market through tying obligations; abuse of IP rights and regulatory procedures; drafting the first ever written observation of the SCA to a national court under Article 15(3) of Regulation 1/2003.
- Case officer at a dawn raid against a pharmaceutical company, assisting another competition authority (abuse of dominance case).
- Case officer at dawn raids in construction and travel sectors concerning suspected cartels.
Professional Honors
- Recognised as a Future Leader 2024 in Competition Law UK by Who's Who Legal
Admissions
- England & Wales~United Kingdom (2005)
Education
- Stockholm University (LL.M, Master of Laws) (1999)
- Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen (Erasmus) (1997)
Languages
- English
- Swedish