We are most proud and excited to have won before the Cyprus Administrative Court, a significant decision in favour of our client, a leading international player in the automotive industry. The Court annulled the decision of the Commission for the Protection of Competition (‘CPC’), which had imposed a fine on our client in the amount of EUR 20 million, for violation of competition laws. This was, in fact, one of the biggest fines ever imposed by the CPC.
Our firm presented before the CPC various legal arguments (including the fact that the relevant market was wrongly defined) which, even though initially rejected by the CPC, were upheld by the Cyprus Administrative Court. Our firm’s team was led by co-managing partner George Mountis. At the Court hearing, another leading Nicosia-based law firm appeared with our firm.
This case highlights the fact that the Administrative Court thoroughly reviewed the substance of the matter, and not just the preliminary objections. The Court’s seminal decision is an indication of how the Court will deal with similar cases, from now onwards.