WHERE WE CAN ASSIST
Supporting Corporations in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): A corporation facing challenges in fulfilling its PPP obligations—perhaps due to delays in State Aid clearance by the European Commission (EC)—can turn to COCOO for assistance. We collaborate with Members of the European Parliament (EP) to build momentum for successful PPP completion, spotlighting the project’s strategic EU significance and its contributions to competition, regional development, job creation, tourism, and investment.
Facilitating Unsolicited Proposals (USPs) for Public Organizations: Public entities can leverage COCOO’s expertise through USPs to streamline direct negotiations for contracts or PPPs. Whether COCOO or another supplier steps in, we provide strategic advice and mediation services, empowering public organizations to navigate complex agreements effectively.
Defending Competition in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A): COCOO staunchly upholds its constitutional duty to promote competition, investment, and the public interest. For example, when a proposed merger threatens these principles, COCOO advocates before the Secretary of State for Business and Trade (SOSBT) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to block or clear it as appropriate. Alternatively, via a USP or direct engagement, COCOO can orchestrate an M&A deal, guiding it through every stage while securing political and regulatory support from government and competition authorities.
Enhancing Collaboration with Authorities: COCOO fosters closer ties with competition authorities, regulators, and the SOSBT, delivering regular updates enriched with political, legal, and expert insights into markets, sectors, and industries. Our cross-border investigations blend local, industry, and technical expertise across all sectors, offering diverse perspectives and tailored solutions for buy- and sell-side M&A, restructuring, claims, and comprehensive due diligence. With an unrivaled grasp of industry dynamics and the deal lifecycle, COCOO mitigates transaction risks, drives long-term value, and enables swift, informed decision-making.
Navigating EU Legislative Challenges: When an EU legislative proposal—such as a ban on certain chemicals under the EU Chemicals Strategy—threatens a corporation, COCOO deploys a multifaceted strategy encompassing scientific, legal, political, social, and economic arguments. We assess the proposal’s impact on supply chains across Member States, engaging the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), EC, EP, EU Permanent Representations, and national Ministries of Industry and Environment. For instance, we might demonstrate that a chemical slated for prohibition supports eco-friendly plastics, reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to alternatives like paper or cotton bags, thus aligning with broader public interests.
Countering Advertising Bans: If a corporation faces an EC advertising ban—perhaps for alleged indirect promotion of a restricted product like tobacco—COCOO clarifies the legislative divide between direct and indirect advertising. By proving the ban rests on a flawed interpretation, we avert wasteful litigation, preserving the EC’s economic priorities and taxpayers’ value.
Resolving State Aid Disputes: When the EC initiates complaints or infringement proceedings against a corporation over alleged State Aid violations, COCOO reframes the narrative. We shift the focus from narrow State Aid concerns to broader public interests—such as energy security, environmental standards, rule of law, and investment protection—negotiating a new agreement that eliminates EC objections. For example, if EU subsidies to a corporation are deemed illegal, COCOO balances property development goals, environmental priorities, and State Aid rules, brokering a compromise that benefits the EC, nation, and corporation alike. In another scenario, if EC proceedings against a Chinese firm for “dumping” raise tariffs for an EU importer, COCOO challenges the causal link between imports and harm, exposing market misdefinitions (e.g., the Cellophane Fallacy) and macroeconomic context.
Protecting Financial Institutions: When a Member State bank faces shareholder complaints, media scrutiny, or an ECB audit over capital-raising irregularities, COCOO intervenes decisively. We engage European banking regulators, the EC, and its Directorates to resolve allegations swiftly and restore public confidence, averting economic instability and safeguarding national security without burdening taxpayers further.
Addressing Cybersecurity Concerns: Amid politically charged fears in the EU and USA targeting Chinese corporations’ goods over cybersecurity risks, COCOO counters with evidence-based clarity. We highlight conflicts between Europe’s cybersecurity strategy and bilateral agreements, rallying EP members across committees to affirm the corporation’s business-driven success, EU standards compliance, and economic contributions—free of government interference or security threats.
Challenging Dominant Position Abuse: If a corporation complains to the EC about a competitor’s market dominance—e.g., a rival proposing restrictive market access thresholds—COCOO transforms technical arguments into compelling political messages. We expose oligopolistic tendencies, aligning with the EU Treaty’s vision of open competition, to protect fair market access.
Mitigating Rule of Law Conflicts: When the EC probes a Member State for rule of law violations, and the government scapegoats bankers with imprisonment, COCOO bridges national courts and EU politics. By untangling local politics from judicial proceedings, we restore fairness and accountability.
Correcting Flawed Legislation: COCOO tackles defective EU and Member State laws, such as:
  • R&D Funding Gaps: We unify legal, ethical, medical, and scientific reasoning to advocate for funding specific innovations, highlighting their value and safety to the EC and competition authorities.
  • Investor and Competitor Rights: We align national and EC legal narratives, pressing for amendments to harmonize with EU law, protecting all stakeholders.
  • Gambling Regulation: We expose contradictory regulations and overly broad anti-money laundering directives, urging EC infringement actions against non-compliant Member States while refining distinctions between gambling operations to end monopolistic distortions.
Supporting Currency Exchange Providers: When ATM and shop-based currency exchange firms challenge credit card companies’ restrictive fees before DG Competition, COCOO amplifies their case with political advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and coalition-building among merchants and consumers, laying groundwork for EU payment regulation reforms.
Preserving Pesticide Use: If an EU pesticide ban threatens leading fruit corporations, COCOO defends international standards, gathering evidence on safety, necessity, and trade benefits to secure its continued use.
Securing Loan Approvals: For a corporation denied a loan, COCOO investigates the bank’s internal politics, ensuring alignment with its constitutional goals, such as fostering a standalone market economy.
Promoting Innovative Products: Hired to break a deadlock on public approval—e.g., classifying a product as an advanced biofuel—COCOO pushes for regulatory reviews, emphasizing benefits and dispelling concerns over food security or land use.
Preventing Product Diversion: When a corporation’s product is diverted to another sector, distorting competition, COCOO advocates for EU Renewable Energy Directive amendments, enforcing the cascading principle and uniting industry coalitions to address systemic impacts.
Challenging Regulatory Overreach: If a national regulator imposes disproportionate rates, COCOO aligns national actions with EU law obligations, invoking subsidiarity to restore balance