Lindsay Draffan

Lindsay […] has been providing strategic advice and tactics on how to deal with competitors and suppliers with dominant market positions. Lindsay is well informed about recent case law and also “streetwise” and able to provide practical advice to avoid potential conflicts. We certainly recommend Lindsay and [Bates Wells] for competition law advice.

Cate Atwater

Experience

I am a Senior Associate in the Corporate Commercial Department, specialising in UK competition law (and EU competition law where relevant to the post-Brexit landscape).

I advise on all aspects of competition law from anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance to merger control, UK subsidy control (replacing the EU state aid regime) and related sectoral regulation. I also cover the commercial aspects of other EU-retained laws such package travel and export controls. I particularly enjoy delivering competition compliance training ‘at the coal face’ to clients.

I qualified as a competition lawyer at international law firm Simmons & Simmons in 2000. I subsequently worked at other international competition practices including the top-ranking Competition Group at Slaughter and May as well as for a sectoral regulator.

I assist clients from all sectors of the economy but have, unusually, an in-depth understanding of the UK health and social care sector.

I advised applicants for Government COVID-related funding in the arts and cultural sector on handling information requirements under the UK’s new subsidy control regime.
I advised a trade association in the financial services sector on competition compliance in relation to objective initiatives to support its members (who comprise leading participants in the sector).
I advised a standard-setting body in the renewable energy sector on the licensing of proprietary IP in the context of competition law.
I advised a provider of renewable energy on anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance in relation to shareholder activism.
I advised a religious charity on the cross-over of Government funding from assessment under the EU state aid regime to the UK’s subsidy control regime and is potential benefits.
I advised a standard-setting body for sustainable metal production on competition law compliant information exchange.
I advised a leading data science research institution on the EU/UK export control regime for dual-use goods as part of its risk assessment procedures.
I advised a technology innovation centre on the EU/UK competition rules re technology transfer and exemptions.
I advised a world-renowned UK university on its multi-million pound application for ERDF funding to upgrade an existing scientific research facility.
I advised a housing and regional development charity on its application for local authority funding and related EU state aid requirements.
I advised a central UK Government department on EU State aid compliant structures for an underfunded financial market, considering rules for social, investment and SME-designated aid.
I delivered competition law compliance training sessions for the Board and members of a trade association in the leisure sector.
I advised a specialist health care provider to the NHS on public procurement and behavioural competition law matters.