Our experience
Competition, fair trading and consumer protection are at the heart of business. We provide clients with strategic advice, advocacy and dispute resolution to navigate the regulatory environment.
Over the years, we have successfully represented clients facing the toughest Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) investigations and prosecutions, secured ACCC clearance for transformational mergers and acquisitions, represented clients in crucial litigation and product recalls, and assisted clients to implement their internal compliance programs.
We have extensive experience and insight in dealing with the ACCC and its mergers, enforcement and other divisions. We have a strong reputation with the ACCC. We have been successful in preventing many matters from going beyond the investigation stage, defending enforcement proceedings and negotiating reduced penalties. On other occasions, we have persuaded the ACCC to take action against the conduct of other businesses.
We build strong relationships with our clients and a clear understanding of their commercial objectives. We are outcome-driven, decisive and quick. We have particular expertise in the agricultural, financial services, fashion, online, petroleum and construction sectors.
We are thought leaders and regularly advocate reform in the media and government reviews. The recent Competition Policy Review (‘Harper Review’), which was the first major review of Australian competition law in over 20 years, extensively referenced our submissions and led to the government adopting a number of changes we advocated.
"Arnold Bloch Leibler is extremely adept at handling complex issues such as defence of enforcement actions initiated by Australia's regulator."
Our work
Retail Food Group
The Card Network
Kogan
Mecca Cosmetica
Tasmanian Ports Corporation
ME Bank
Fonterra
Barro Group Pty Ltd
Industry Super Australia
Just Group Limited
Supermarket supplier
Electricity industry investigation
Agricultural cartel investigation
Breville Group Limited
Competition services
ACCC approvals
We assist clients in securing ACCC approval for mergers, acquisitions and other transactions. Our team is skilled at assessing whether a deal is likely to raise competition issues or trigger an ACCC investigation. Our advice is sought internationally, including from major US hedge funds.
ACCC investigations and prosecutions
We have successfully represented numerous clients in ACCC investigations and prosecutions for cartel conduct, misleading or deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct, and other types of anticompetitive conduct in a wide range of industries.
Competition and consumer law disputes
We are experienced in commercial litigation and resolving disputes between competitors, supplier disputes, franchising disputes, disputes with consumers and class actions. We act strategically to achieve the client’s commercial objectives in the most effective manner, often resolving matters quickly without the need for court proceedings or a trial.
Competition and consumer law advice
We advise clients on how to achieve their commercial objectives within the requirements of competition and consumer law. This includes advice on structuring transactions, and seeking ACCC approvals where appropriate. We also provide advice on advertising and marketing campaigns, from developing the fundamental concept of the campaign to execution and sign-off.
Product recalls
We advise companies on whether to conduct a product recall, the parameters of the recall, dealing with the ACCC and other regulators, and dealing with consumers, suppliers and other participants in the supply chain. We have acted in a number of major national product recalls, including of consumer electrical products and clothing.
Compliance programmes and risk management
As part of their corporate governance and risk management, we help clients to implement their own internal competition and consumer law compliance program and develop a “compliance culture”. This is a factor taken into account by the ACCC in making decisions about enforcement action, and by the Courts in setting penalties. We provide compliance training tailored to the client’s industry, drawing on our extensive experience in ACCC investigations and prosecutions.
People
Insights & news

ABL recognised in Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025

Arnold Bloch Leibler listed in 2025 Chambers Asia Pacific guide

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Troubling prospect to allow merger changes to shield ACCC from court scrutiny

ABL advises founder Matt Tripp on betr's landmark merger with BlueBet

Existing merger regime works well for the majority but could be improved

ABL ranked in Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 guide

Arnold Bloch Leibler recognised in 2024 Chambers Asia Pacific guide

ABL advises National Veterinary Associates on sale of VetPartners to EQT Group

Stopping greenwashing, not green innovations

Competition and Consumer Law Update: Greenwashing compliance and enforcement activity

Competition and Consumer Law Update: Amendments to the Unfair Contract Terms Regime commencing November 2023

ABL recognised in Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023

Competition and Consumer Law Update: Greenwashing

Competition and Consumer Law Update: Increased Penalties and Expansion of the Unfair Contract Terms Laws

ABL acts for Australian Way on joint venture with French headquartered Lagardère Travel Retail

Arnold Bloch Leibler voted Australia’s ‘Law firm of the Year’ in two practice areas

ABL acts for Zip on $491m acquisition and latest capital raising

Legal 500 Asia Pacific results 2022

Test cases prove testing for ACCC

ABL announces 2021 Partner, Special Counsel and Senior Associate appointments

ABL acts for ME Bank on its $1.325bn sale to BOQ

2021 Legal 500 Asia Pacific results

Arnold Bloch Leibler features in 2021 Chambers Asia Pacific guide

ABL to act in ACCC’s first misuse of market power case under new law

ACCC ‘prolonging RFG investigation’

Federal Court rejects ACCC case against the Vodafone-TPG merger

The ACCC’s digital platforms inquiry and what it means for media diversity in Australia

2019 Partner, Special Counsel and Senior Associate announcement

2020 Best Lawyers® International results

Do you want to change how Google or Facebook impact your business?

Arnold Bloch Leibler recognised in the 2018 Doyle’s Guide

Arnold Bloch Leibler listed in Chambers Asia Pacific 2019

Australian Guide to Competition Litigation 2019

Lessons in US digital platforms ruling

ABL acts for SkyBus on new airport transport agreement
