Philippe has extensive experience of both EU and UK competition law with expertise in merger, cartel, behavioural and competition litigation cases in both jurisdictions.
Philippe is resident in our London office, but is also established in Brussels, where he spends a proportion of his time. He is a member of the Brussels Bar (A list), as well as being qualified as a solicitor (England and Wales).
Highlights
- Illumina on its $8bn acquisition of Grail, the first case called in by the European Commission under its new Article 22 policy, including the Commission’s Phase 2 review and the parallel application to the General Court to annul the Commission’s decision.
- Booking Holdings on:
- its acquisitions of Momondo and HotelsCombined, cleared by the European Commission at Phase 1.
- the multijurisdictional investigations into MFN and other pricing provisions, including the negotiation of commitments with the UK, French, Italian and Swedish competition authorities.
- consumer law investigations by the CMA and the CPC Network of European consumer protection agencies, including the negotiation of commitments.
- Allergan on its acquisition by Abbvie for approximately USD 63 billion, one of the largest recent mergers in the pharmaceutical sector, cleared by the European Commission at Phase 1 subject to commitments.
- The Stars Group on its proposed GBP 10 billion merger with Flutter Entertainment to create one of the largest global betting and gaming companies worldwide.
- Calder on its successful defence against the CMA investigation into an alleged cartel in the roofing materials sector.
- INEOS in relation to its PVC joint venture with Solvay JV, combining Europe's two largest PVC producers, conditionally cleared by the European Commission following an in-depth Phase 2 review.
- Bertelsmann in connection with the merger of its recorded music business, BMG, with Sony Music (unconditionally cleared twice after two detailed Phase II investigations by the European Commission) and on its successful appeal to the Court of Justice against the General Court's judgment in the Impala case.
Philippe is listed as a Band 1 competition lawyer by Chambers and a Hall of Fame leading individual by Legal 500. He is also recognised as a Global Elite Thought Leader by Who’s Who Legal.
Philippe is the President of the European Competition Lawyers Forum (which is used as a sounding board on policy and practice-related issues by the European Commission’s Competition Directorate General).
Directories quotes:
- “He is described by appreciative clients as ‘simply outstanding.’” Chambers UK 2021
- "Interviewees describe Philippe Chappatte as "a total expert in his field" and say that he is "responsive, a strategic thinker and really comprehensive in everything he does." "He's intellectually one of the best and his handling of cases is very impressive," says another source.” Chambers UK 2020
- “A legend of the antitrust bar, and a real pleasure to work with.” Legal 500 Belgium 2019