Partner
Marta is a leading competition law expert, renowned for her commercial approach in helping clients navigate complex global mergers and cartel/behavioural investigations.
D (UK) +44 20 7809 2141 (Paris) +33 1 44158273
M +44 7985 716 668
Languages - English, Spanish, French
Jurisdictions - London, Paris
Marta Isabel Garcia is a partner at Stephenson Harwood, highly sought after by clients for her ability to navigate across the full spectrum of EU and UK competition laws, as well as foreign direct investment (FDI) rules.
Marta has extensive experience advising global corporations and private equity firms on complex cross-border transactions, securing regulatory approvals and advising on due diligence, data room/clean team arrangements and gun-jumping; ensuring clients can confidently pursue transactions without regulatory setbacks.
Marta’s expertise further extends to defending companies in international cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, where she guides clients through all stages of an investigation, including dawn raids, audits, leniency applications, settlements and appeals before the European courts.
Marta also advises more generally on competition compliance, reviews of commercial agreements, joint ventures and strategic alliances, market investigations, complaints, State aid and subsidy regulation.
Marta’s significant experience spans diverse industries (including financial services, energy, transport, commodities, technology, life sciences, insurance, retail and manufacturing) across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa, making her a valuable asset to companies facing multi-jurisdictional antitrust issues.
Clients appreciate Marta's straightforward, commercial and practical approach as well as her technical knowledge and strategic insights, which allow her to act swiftly and effectively to achieve successful outcomes for clients in high-stake competition matters.
European Commission (EC) cartel investigation
Advising a global bank in the EC’s European Government Bonds cartel investigation, including applying for leniency before the EC and various EU Member States' national competition authorities, advising on settlement and acting for the bank in appeal proceedings before the European Courts.
Global cartel investigation
Representing one of the key individuals in the alleged international fragrance cartel investigation being carried out by multiple antitrust regulators, including the US Department of Justice (DOJ), EC, UK Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) and Swiss Competition Authority.
EC abuse of dominance investigation
Defending one of the largest global financial information providers in relation to an exclusionary abuse of dominance investigation by the EC pertaining to restrictive contractual licensing practices, including the negotiation of commitments.
Global Complex Merger
Advising on various global complex merger deals securing clearances in Phase I and Phase II (with or without remedies) from the EC, US DOJ, and other jurisdictions worldwide, (including Brazil, Canada, Singapore, Turkey, CEMAC, COMESA and others) as well as securing relevant foreign direct investment clearances (e.g. UK, Australia, US, Spain, France, etc.) across various sectors (e.g. energy, financial services, chemicals, transportation, insurance, manufacturing, technology).
UK Merger Control
Advising on numerous merger transactions before the CMA, securing Phase 1 clearances (e.g. care homes, food, manufacturing, insurance, retail/consumer goods), including implementing “fix it first type remedies” (e.g. energy, healthcare) and informally obtaining comfort from the CMA (via the Briefing Paper route) in order to proceed with transactions.
Competition Compliance & Dawn Raids
Preparing, delivering and rolling out competition law compliance and dawn raid training to various organisations, including carrying out mock dawn raids and conducting audits of businesses to ensure compliance with competition rules across different sectors (e.g. tobacco, energy, banking, shipping, pharmaceuticals, construction, retail) in the UK, EU and other regions worldwide (e.g. Asia, Africa, Latin America).
Complex supply arrangements
Advising a global manufacturer in the food and beverage supply chain on potential abuse of dominance issues and anti-competitive restrictions arising in commercial agreements in its supply chain.
State Aid/Subsidy Control
Advising a railway network on a guarantee given by the UK government to enable the network to raise fresh capital from international money markets to fund the management, maintenance and upgrade of the British railway network.
EU Foreign Subsidy Regulation
Advising a global agricultural company on the implications of the EU's Foreign Subsidies Regulation to its merger control strategy in the EU.
Market Study
Advising a large global investment bank on the EC's loan syndication market study, including on likely areas of interest / concern for the EC and delivering training.
