Manish Bahl

My work and qualifications

I am a dual-qualified lawyer (admitted in the Netherlands and England & Wales) specializing in core competition, commercial law and regulatory issues. I have practised in Amsterdam since 2006 and in London between 2002-2006.

I act for both transacting and opposing parties. My disputes work involves competition damages actions, cross border litigation and international arbitration matters. I also deal with regulators in the Netherlands as well as with the European Commission. I have extensive experience (advisory, transactional and contentious) in supporting businesses on their contracting, routes to market, supply, pricing, co-operation and acquisition strategies, disputes and regulatory requirements.

After working at leading firms (CMS, Clifford Chance and, as a partner, at Eversheds Sutherland and Fieldfisher), in May 2021 I set up Bahl & Co. in order to establish a modern, progressive law firm focusing on quality and successful and sustainable legal solutions in the (post-) Covid-19 and Brexit reality.

Please see Expertise & Matters for an overview of some of my esteemed clients and wins. At Bahl & Co., I bring together top lawyers, economists and experts to provide world-renowned expertise for clients in a variety of sectors. In addition to direct client engagements, I am regularly instructed by international and domestic law firms.

Expertise (advisory, litigation/arbitration, regulatory and transactional)

• Competition and Trade – Cartel and behavioural matters including private law damages actions for both claimants and defendants, complex litigation and arbitration, in particular about antitrust issues and competition provisions in contracts, merger control, state aid, public procurement issues, competition compliance and internal investigations, BIT/trade law issues, foreign investment regulatory advice and filings.

• Commercial – Commercial agreements, distribution, agency and franchise agreements, JV and co-operation arrangements.

• EU, Regulatory, E-commerce, Consumer – E-commerce, consumer protection, data privacy matters and investigations, export control and sanctions, life sciences and healthcare regulatory issues, product safety and liability, environmental regulatory matters, satellite and telecoms licensing.

Life experience and interests

I have studied law in Edinburgh, Leiden and London and have lived in seven countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. I enjoy family-time, reading, food, wine, cold IPAs and beer, running, cricket, history, public international law cases, travelling.

Residence: Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Previous residences: Kathmandu, Nepal; Washington D.C., USA; New Delhi, India; Tunis, Tunisia; Georgetown, Guyana; The Hague, Netherlands; Edinburgh & London, United Kingdom.

Recognition and awards

I have been individually recommended in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners and by Who’s Who Legal as Future Leader Competition Law 2021 (one of only six Dutch Competition Law practitioners selected), as a Leading Franchise Lawyer 2021 and Global Leader Franchise 2020.

According to Who’s Who Legal 2020: Manish wins endorsements for being “a pragmatic and efficient lawyer, particularly strong in antitrust matters”.

According to Who’s Who Legal 2021, Peers and clients say about Manish: "He is very responsive and delivers high-quality work products, concrete advice and guidance within a short period of time". "He is an excellent lawyer and a great source of advice."

Memberships

The Law Society

Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten

International Bar Association

European Competition Lawyers Association

Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats

Vereniging voor Mededingingsrecht

Vereniging distributie-, franchise- en agentuurovereenkomsten

The Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce & Trade

Email: manishbahl@bahlco.nl

Tel.: +31 6 14481198

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