The Center provides the economic analysis required at each phase of a case, from preliminary review at the filing and review stages to responses during the investigation, hearing, and administrative litigation stages, as well as preliminary assessments aimed at preventing disputes.

1. Merger Analysis and Filing Support

Analysis of the market structure and competitive effects of mergers, from filing through review and post-review response.

• Relevant market definition and market concentration analysis
• Review of the competitive effects of horizontal, vertical, and conglomerate mergers (unilateral, coordinated, and foreclosure effects)
• Assessment of countervailing buyer power and the likelihood of price increases and market entry
• Analysis of efficiency effects and consumer welfare
• Preparation of response materials and economic analysis reports for each stage of review

2. Abuse of Dominance & Unfair Trade Practices

Analysis of the economic effects of the conduct at issue—such as refusals to deal, exclusive dealing, discriminatory treatment, tying, and abusive pricing—on markets and consumers.

• Relevant market definition and assessment of market power
• Review of the economic effects of transaction structures and contractual terms
• Analysis of exclusionary, foreclosure, and price effects and consumer welfare
• Review of cost structures, profitability, and the availability of alternative sales and purchasing channels
• Preparation of economic analysis reports for the investigation, hearing, and administrative litigation stages

3. Cartels and Information Exchange

Assessment of the existence and effects of agreements, based on economic analysis of market behavior such as prices, volumes, bids, and transaction terms.

• Quantitative analysis of price, quantity, and bidding data
• Review of the extent to which price movements are driven by changes in costs and demand
• Analysis of whether parallel conduct can be economically distinguished from agreements
• Review of the anticompetitive effects of information exchange
• Economic analysis and preparation of written submissions on damages and administrative surcharges

4. Damages and Economic Effects Analysis

Construction of a counterfactual (but-for) scenario in which the alleged violation did not occur, and assessment of the economic causal relationship between the conduct in question and the alleged harm.

• Analysis of changes in prices, volumes, and margins before and after the alleged violation
• Estimation of damages using comparator markets and comparator periods
• Review of alternative explanatory factors, such as cost increases, demand fluctuations, and business-cycle factors
• Analysis of pass-on of losses and effects at each level of the supply chain
• Preparation of expert opinions and materials responding to court-appointed expert appraisals

5. Compliance and Regulatory Risk Assessment

Assessment of competition law risk factors in advance, based on the client's business model and internal transaction data.

• Review of competition law risks in business models and transaction structures
• Analysis of the economic effects of pricing, discount, and rebate policies
• Review of the economic rationale for intra-group and affiliate transactions
• Review of risks relating to information exchange and contacts with competitors
• Compliance monitoring and support for preparing internal guidelines

6. Policy and Regulatory Analysis and Strategic Advice

Analysis of the impact of changes in the competition law landscape on industries and corporate strategy.

• Analysis of the industry-specific impact of policy and regulatory changes
• Analysis of competitive structures in key industries, including platforms, finance, distribution, manufacturing, and energy
• Review of strategic options for responding to regulatory changes
• Economic review of domestic and international competition policy trends
• Support for preparing policy papers, written submissions, and external briefing materials