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- Peter D. Camesasca
Peter D. Camesasca
Peter D. Camesasca is a partner in Covington’s Brussels and London offices, with 25 years of experience in all major aspects of EU competition law. Dr. Camesasca also co-chairs the firm’s Foreign Direct Investment Regulation initiative, and, has a particular focus on in- and outbound aspects of the Asia/Europe interface.
Dr. Camesasca’s experience includes cases under Articles 101, 102 and 106 TFEU, national and multijurisdictional merger and joint venture notifications (including FDI assessments), investigations by multiple enforcement authorities and global antitrust litigation and monopolization issues (including IP cross-over issues). In addition, he advises and litigates on horizontal and vertical cooperation issues, prepares and executes various compliance and dawn raid programs and participates in the installation of in-house training programs, and heads a vibrant private enforcement practice.
Dr. Camesasca has acted before the European Commission, the European courts, the German Bundeskartellamt, the UK Office of Fair Trading and the Competition and Markets Authority, the Belgian Competition Council, and various national courts.
In Chambers, Dr. Camesasca is noted for his "keen attention to detail and effective representation of clients' interests,” as being “very hands-on, fast and responsive” and "very forthright in stating his opinion and he is well connected in DG Comp.” Chambers further notes his experience in Korea, with sources stating that he is one of the “first-choice competition lawyers to clients in Korea.” GCR records that Dr. Camesasca is “the top choice for all technology-related competition law issues,” that he receives praise as “a very approachable practitioner with great communication skills,” and is particularly “experienced handling merger control and cartel cases.”
Dr. Camesasca advises international clients across a diverse range of sectors, including aviation, maritime transport, harbors and shipyards, oil and gas, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, electronics and semiconductor industries, as well as telecommunications industries, internet services, and big data.
Having spent most of his time in private practice, during a two-year stint with Samsung, Dr. Camesasca was materially responsible for coordinating the EU efforts for Samsung Electronics during the Standard Essential Patents (SEP) related investigations in 2012-2014.
Dr. Camesasca speaks and publishes widely on all aspects of competition law, and is the co-author of “Comparative Competition Law and Economics,” a standard textbook for Law and Economic scholars, meanwhile in its third edition. He is also a regular speaker on cross-practice topics that cover both in- and outbound aspects of the Asia/Europe interface.
- Representing a globally leading telecoms MNO in antitrust proceedings before the English courts, at a reported claim value of well over U.S. $1.25 billion.
- Representing a globally leading manufacturer of consumer electronics and semiconductors in various antitrust proceedings before the English courts, at a combined claim value of a high three-digit million figure.
- Representing a maker of pharmaceutical ingredients as global coordinating counsel in pending cartel investigations by over half a dozen authorities worldwide.
- Counseling a fully integrated oil and gas company in the complete overhaul of its global compliance set-up.
- Representing Samsung Electronics as lead counsel in the EU settlement relating to the enforcement by Samsung of standard essential patents (“SEPs”) in connection with the 3G standard used in smartphones and tablets. The EU decision closed the investigation against Samsung without a finding of infringement or fine levied against Samsung. The precedent-setting value of the matter was recognized by the GCR Award/Behavioral Matter of the Year 2015.
- Representing a half dozen liner shipping carriers and maritime trade associations regarding various aspects of EU competition law (covering alliances and cooperation type agreements).
- Older precedent-setting representations include the GE/Honeywell merger, where Dr. Camesasca represented Rockwell Collins, a major avionics manufacturer, concerning its successful interventions in the landmark appeals before the European General Court in support of the Commission’s prohibition decision; the 2-to-1 Dutch directories merger, achieving clearance without remedies on behalf of Truvo (formerly known as World Directories); and the EU review of the Liner Conference Block Exemption and Consortia Block Exemption on behalf of the industry, achieving a replacement regime in the form of the EC Maritime Guidelines, which formed the basis for the information exchange aspects subsequently covered in the EC Horizontal Guidelines.
Significant Revamp of German FDI Regime – German Government Presents New Rules on FDI Screening
January 28, 2021, Covington Competition
On 22 January 2021 the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (“BMWi”) published a draft for the 17th amendment (“Draft Amendment”) of the Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (“AWV”). While the Draft Amendment remains subject to comments and further consultation, it already provides early guidance on sectors that may come under close Foreign Direct...… ...
January 25, 2021, Covington Competition
On 19 January 2021, the 10th amendment of the German Act against Restraints of Competition (“ARC”), the so-called ARC Digitisation Act (the “ARC-DA”) entered into force. The ARC-DA brings far-reaching amendments to German competition law, containing inter alia the introduction of a new framework to intervene in the digital sector and a revision of the...… ...
Covington's London Public Company Practice Closes a Strong Year of Life Sciences Transactions
January 25, 2021
LONDON–Covington’s London corporate team has advised AIM- and Main Market-listed clients on multiple fundraisings and acquisitions over the past few months, marking a strong year in life sciences transactions. These include: Advising Sensyne Health plc, a UK clinical AI company listed on the London AIM market, on its £27.5 million equity fundraising The ...
December 14, 2020, Covington Alert
The UK Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Walter Merricks, the former head of the UK Financial Ombudsman Service, in a hotly-anticipated judgment in the first opt-out competition class action brought in the UK. Background Mr Merricks is the proposed class representative for 46.2 million people who, between 22 May 1992 and 21 June 2008, purchased goods and/or ...
December 11, 2020, Covington Competition
The UK Supreme Court has today ruled in favour of Walter Merricks, the former head of the UK Financial Ombudsman Service., in a hotly-anticipated judgment in the first opt-out competition class action brought in the UK. Background Mr Merricks is the proposed class representative for 46.2 million people who, between 22 May 1992 and 21 June...… Continue Reading
December 4, 2020, Covington Competition
On 2 December 2020, the German government prohibited the acquisition of German company IMST GmbH, Kamp-Lintfort (“IMST”) by a Chinese investor. This is the second high profile prohibition decision issued by the German government this year on the grounds of Foreign Direct Investment (“FDI”) rules. Read in conjunction with the upcoming legislative tightening of ...
November 12, 2020, Covington Alert
The UK government has published long-awaited draft legislation that, if made law, will introduce significant new powers to scrutinise Foreign Direct Investment (“FDI”). The National Security & Investment Bill (the “NSI Bill” or the “Bill”), is proposed to introduce mandatory filing obligations and pre-clearance requirements for all transactions in the most ...
November 2020, Concurrences N° 4-2020
October 13, 2020, Covington Competition
On October 11, 2020, the EU FDI Screening Regulation (EU) 2019/452 – the “Regulation”) entered fully into force. The Regulation, which was approved and adopted in March 2019, establishes a framework for the screening of foreign direct investments (“FDI”) by EU Member States in which decision-making powers rest at the Member State level. Significantly, from...… ...
The European Commission Adopts a White Paper on Foreign Subsidies to Protect the EU Single Market
September 25, 2020, Covington Competition
On 17 June 2020, the European Commission (‘Commission’) published a White Paper “on levelling the playing field as regards foreign subsidies” which outlines a proposal for a series of new investigatory and enforcement tools, intended to identify and counteract the possible distortions of competition in the EU single market due to foreign subsidies. A public...… ...
September 14, 2020, Covington Competition
The EU Regulation on Foreign Direct Investment (2019/452) (the “EU FDI Regulation”) will enter into force fully on October 11, 2020. Most notably, on this date, a cooperation and information sharing mechanism among Member States and the European Commission in respect of foreign direct investment (“FDI”) that has an ‘EU-dimension’ will come into effect. As...… ...
September 14, 2020, Covington Alert
The EU Regulation on Foreign Direct Investment (2019/452) (the “EU FDI Regulation”) will enter into force fully on October 11, 2020. Most notably, on this date, a cooperation and information sharing mechanism among Member States and the European Commission in respect of foreign direct investment (“FDI”) that has an “EU-dimension” will come into effect.
June 24, 2020, Covington Competition
On June 22, 2020, the UK Government introduced legislation to Parliament that further strengthens its ability to intervene in transactions on national security and other public interest grounds. Specifically, the UK Government has sought additional powers to intervene in transactions where there is need to preserve the capability of the UK to respond to a...… ...
June 18, 2020, Covington Competition
On 17 June 2020 the European Commission (“Commission”) published a White Paper on new enforcement powers regarding foreign subsidies. This initiative pursues two objectives, first it sets out a general policy approach for foreign subsidies, and second, it provides a number of proposals to address a perceived regulatory gap. More specifically, the White Paper ...
June 18, 2020, Global Competition Review
Horst Henschen and Peter Camesasca spoke with Global Competition Review about the European Union’s new tools to address competitive distortion. Mr. Henschen says the supervisory authority will have “very broad powers to intervene.” The idea that the commission should be the competent supervisory authority may also “lead to a lively debate.” Mr. Camesasca says ...
UK Government Appears Ready to Bring Forward Legislative Proposals for More Rigorous FDI Screening
June 4, 2020, Covington Alert
The UK has, in recent years, been one of the most attractive and open climates for foreign direct investment (“FDI”). Whilst the UK’s net FDI inflows have fallen significantly since 2016, it remains, as of 2018, one of the highest ranked countries in the world by FDI inflows. However, the UK Government’s power to scrutinise and intervene in FDI transactions ...
June 1, 2020, Covington Competition
The FDI space in Europe remains dynamic. Less than five months from the entering into force of the EU FDI Regulation, and just two months since the European Commission asked the Member States to both strengthen and “vigorously” implement the tools available to them and, where appropriate, introduce new FDI screening mechanisms –on which we...… Continue Reading
CRRC/Vossloh cleared in Germany
April 27, 2020, Global Competition Review
Peter Camesasca is quoted in Global Competition Review regarding a controversial deal, which was approved by Germany’s Federal Cartel Office, between a pair of locomotive manufacturers. Mr. Camesasca says the case will prove to be a “relevant precedent” because the FCO “came out purely on competition grounds.” Despite heightened awareness regarding foreign ...
April 17, 2020, Politico
Horst Henschen and Peter Camesasca spoke with Politico about the European Commission’s push to make foreign investment screening less national and more European. However, Italy is not conforming to the idea. Mr. Henschen says, “I hope this is really due to the corona crisis and that things will go back to normality, as otherwise there will be apparent conflicts ...
March 26, 2020, Covington Alert
On March 25, 2020, the European Commission (“Commission”) published a policy paper to provide guidance to the EU Member States regarding takeovers by non-EU (“foreign”) investors of EU companies and assets in "strategic industries" during the Covid-19 crisis (the “Guidance Paper” or the “Guidelines”). The Commission emphasizes the importance of vigorously ...
DOJ to Credit Compliance Programs and Consider Deferred Prosecution Agreements in Cartel Cases
July 15, 2019, Covington Alert
The U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division has long been out-of-step with the rest of the DOJ in refusing to consider the compliance programs of corporate antitrust offenders in charging or sentencing decisions. But on July 11, 2019, Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim announced fundamental and sweeping changes to the Division’s approach to ...
Covington Advised SK Holdings in $100M Investment
January 30, 2019
PALO ALTO—Covington advised South Korea-based SK Holdings in its $100 million investment in Kinestral Technologies, Inc. The Series D funding round was led by SK Holdings and included existing Kinestral investors like 5AM Ventures, Alexandria Real Estate, Capricorn Investment Group, and Versant Ventures. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Kinestral ...
January 16, 2019, Covington Alert
On December 19, 2018, the German Government decided to further tighten the rules for the control of foreign investments in German companies under the German Foreign Trade Regulation (Außenwirtschaftverordnung, “AWV” - the “Amendment”). Already in July 2017, the German Government adopted stricter rules for the control of foreign investments.
June 26, 2018, Covington Alert
On June 21, 2018, the European Commission (“Commission”) started a new investigation to determine whether so-called destination clauses in Qatar Petroleum’s liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) supply contracts with European buyers infringe the European Union (“EU”) antitrust rules.
July 24, 2017, Covington Alert
On Friday July 21, 2017 the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (the “CAT”) handed down its second class certification decision under the class actions regime introduced by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (the “Act”). It dismissed the application for two reasons. First, the proposed representative failed to show that it could reasonably estimate damages in the ...
April 7, 2017, Covington Alert
The UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (the “CAT”) has handed down its first class certification judgment in relation to the class actions regime introduced by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (the “Act”). The result? The hearing has been adjourned, with the proposed representative allowed to file and serve an amended Claim Form and revised expert evidence, if so ...
July 13, 2016, Covington Alert
On July 1, 2016, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy published a proposed draft amendment to the German Act against Restraints of Competition, which would introduce a new merger control notification threshold based on transaction value. The draft (i) introduces a new merger control notification threshold based on transaction value, (ii) ...
Courts face long-term Brexit questions
July 5, 2016, CDR News
Peter Camesasca and Alex Leitch are quoted in a CDR article regarding the long-term effects of Brexit on the courts, including uncertainties over enforcement. According to Camesasca, “This will not be immediate. Companies are not making any immediate decisions about litigation in the wake of the Brexit vote. Most are in ‘wait and see’ mode.” He continues, “But ...
An interview with Peter Camesasca
March 31, 2016, Global Competition Review
Peter Camesasca discusses private cartel actions in the European Union in this interview with GCR.
September-October 2015, CDR News
Brussels-based partner Peter Camesasca offers insight on how lawyers are advising claimants and defendants on the new UK class action regime in an article featured in the CDR News September-October 2015 issue. Camesasca says, “What we clearly do see is that there are a number of law firms who are touting this new regime very aggressively…these firms are seeing ...
September 24, 2015, Covington Alert
July 20, 2015, Covington Alert
The New UK Class Action Scheme: Rising Tides and Flood Defenses
July 17, 2015, Webinar
Court upholds Commission’s global reach on cartels
July 16, 2015, Politico
Quoting Peter Camesasca regarding the Innolux judgment.
July 9, 2015, Global Competition Review
Quoting Peter Camesasca regarding the Innolux judgment.
June 23, 2015, Covington Alert
June 11, 2015
BRUSSELS, June 11, 2015 — Covington has received 20 leading practice group rankings in the 2015 editions of Chambers Europe and Legal 500 EMEA. The legal guides have recognised the firm’s expertise in the following areas: CHAMBERS EUROPE Europe-wide - Regulatory - Agro/Food Europe-wide - Regulatory - Environment Europe-wide - Regulatory - ...
May 6, 2015, Covington E-Alert
Covington Honored at GCR Awards 2015
April 20, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC, April 20, 2015 — Global Competition Review has selected matters led by Covington lawyers as winners of two 2015 GCR Awards. Litigation of the Year, Cartel Defense was awarded for the defendants’ win in Motorola Mobility v AU Optronics, et al. Covington partners Robert Wick and Derek Ludwin in Washington, DC, and Jeffrey Davidson in San ...
April 20, 2015, Global Competition Review
Germany raises the standard for class action funding
February 25, 2015, Global Competition Review
Covington'sPeter Camesasca is quoted regarding a Düsseldorf court confirming that the funding model used by Cartel Damage Claims (CDC) in its case against cement cartelists is illegal. "Peter Camesasca, at Covington & Burling in Brussels, says while the ruling is good news for defendants in that it makes group actions in Germany more difficult, it goes against ...
December 22, 2014
WASHINGTON, December 22, 2014 — The Global Competition Review (GCR) has named Covington & Burling to its Global Elite, a list of the top 20 competition practices worldwide, ranking it among the top practices in both Brussels and Washington, D.C. Each year, GCR undertakes extensive analysis of competition law groups in 50 jurisdictions around the world. In ...
Judgment of the General Court of the EU in case T-272/12 - EU powers of inspection get another boost
December 1, 2014, Covington E-Alert
November 25, 2014, Covington E-Alert
Covington’s Brussels harvest
September 22, 2014, Commercial Dispute Resolution
Covington's Peter Camesasca, Johan Ysewyn, Melissa Van Schoorisse, Miranda Cole, Henriette Tielemans, Sebastian Vos, and Jean De Ruyt are mentioned in this article on the growth of Covington's Brussels office: "April was a busy month for Covington & Burling’s competition lawyers, marking, as it did, the welcome return of Peter Camesasca – who temporarily ...
Price signalling in container shipping
September 18, 2014, IBC’s Competition Law in the Shipping Sector 2014
Tell Me All About It: A Harder Line Is Being Taken on Information Exchanges and Price Signaling
July 8, 2014, Competition Law Insight
Information exchange and price signaling
May 7, 2014, IBC’s 8th Competition Economics Conference
One lateral hire and one return for Covington
April 30, 2014, GCR
Covington partners Peter Camesasca and Johan Ysewyn are featured in the articles above regarding their move to the firm's Brussels office.
New Considerations in Intellectual Property - Antitrust and Negotiating Standard Essential Patents
February 7, 2014, GCR Live 3rd Annual Antitrust Law Leaders Forum
Leniency: what is total co-operation? How to?
December 5, 2013, Premier Cercle Competition Summit 2013
Economics of patent pools and FRAND: what are relevant economic theories behind patent disputes such as smart phone wars
April 25, 2013, IBC’s 7th Competition Economics Conference
IP/antitrust interface
April 16, 2013, IBC’s 22nd Advanced EC Competition Law Conference
IPRs and antitrust – what is the proper relationship?
March 14, 2013, GCR Live 2nd Annual Law Leaders Asia-Pacific
2013, Journal of European Competition Law & Practice
January 2013, Journal of Competition
July 2013, Journal of Competition Law & Economics
What limits, if any, does EU competition law impose on the seeking of injunctions by FRAND encumbered SEP holders?
November 13, 2012, GCR Live 4th Annual Conference 2012
October-December 2012, MLex Ab Extra, Issue 11
Private actions: maximizing defense strategies
July 3, 2012, IBC’s Competition Litigation 2012
July 2012, Journal of Competition
May 4, 2012, Legal Times
What went well -- and not so well -- in the Commission’s cartel enforcement
March 21, 2012, IBC’s 5th annual forum, Cartel Risks & Compliance 2012
Defending cartels in regulatory investigations” and “Use of economics in cartels
March 20, 2012, IBC’s 6th annual forum, Competition Economics 2012
March 19, 2012
LONDON, 19 March, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP received 46 individual mentions and 20 practice mentions in the Chambers Global 2012 edition. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers globally by pan-regional and country practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. The Covington lawyers ...
EU competition law -- latest developments in the Commission's enforcement practice
July 6, 2011, Korea Judicial Research and Training Institute
A View from Private Practice on EU Anti-Cartel Enforcement
June 9, 2011, Korea Fair Competition Federation
Covington Adds Four Partner Life Sciences Corporate Team
5/16/2011
LONDON, May 16, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP adds a top life sciences corporate team to its London office, further enhancing its comprehensive global life sciences practice. Covington is pleased to announce that Paul Claydon, Natalie Diep, James Gubbins and James Halstead are joining Covington & Burling LLP as partners. They complement Covington’s highly ...
A View From Private Practice on EU Competition Law
May 4, 2011, Korean Fair Trade Commission's Anti-Cartel Education Program for Korean Business
Settlements: What Have We Learned from the Commission’s First Cases? and Leniency and Settlement: Is Cooperation Becoming Less Attractive?
March 29, 2011, IBC Legal’s 4th annual forum, Cartel Risks & Compliance 2011
February 10, 2011, Covington E-Alert
2011, Journal of European Competition Law & Practice
Competition law and international agreements -- anything new? The example of the EU-South Korea FTA
December 10, 2010, Global Competition Law Centre
EU Competition Law and Cartel Enforcement
October 29, 2010, Mont-Blanc Circle Retreat
Avoiding Cartel Risks and Gaining Leniency
October 14, 2010, C5's Managing Competition Risk & Compliance
Beyond Bananas -- The Law and Economics of Information Exchanges Under EU Competition Law
May 27, 2010, IBC's Advanced Review of Competition Economics
The Banana Cartel and Information Exchanges Under EU Competition Law
April 22, 2010, ACLE's Information, Communication and Competition
Settlements Under EU Competition Law
March 25, 2010, IBC's Cartel Risks and Compliance 2010
2010, Journal of European Competition Law & Practice
2009, GCR Asia-Pacific Antitrust Review
2009, European Competition Law Review
September 13, 2008, Lloyd's List
January 1, 2008, Antitrust Law Journal
2008, Global Competition Policy
2008, Antitrust Bulletin
2006, European Competition Law Review
2005, European Antitrust Review
2004, Current Developments in European Integration
January 1, 2004, European Antitrust Review
2004, Tijdschrift voor Belgisch Handelsrecht
2003, De Belgische Mededingingswet Anno
2002, Antitrust Bulletin
Het Groenboek Over De Herziening Van De Controle Op Concentraties: Efficiëntievoordelen Herbekeken
2002, Markt en Mededinging
2001, Intersentia: Antwerpen-Groningen
2001, Ökonomische Analyse des Arbeitsrechts
2000, European Law Review
2000, European Competition Law Review
1999, Tijdschrift voor Europees en Economisch Recht
1999, NEI: Rotterdam
1999, European Competition Law Review
1998, Wirtschaft und Wettbewerb
- JUVE, Brussels (2015-2016)
- Global Competition Review, 40 Under 40 (2012)
- Chambers Global, Competition/European Law (Belgium) (2011-2012, 2016-2020)
- Chambers Europe, Competition/European Law (2017-2020)
- Shortlisted for “Lawyer of the Year - Under 40” by GCR Awards 2011
- Legal 500 EMEA, Competition: Belgium (2015-2017), Healthcare and Life Sciences (2017) and EU Regulatory - Information Technology (2015-2016)