Nicole Breschkin

ACCC Investigations and Proceedings

• Representing SmileDirectClub in enforcement proceedings brought by the ACCC.  The ACCC is alleging breaches of the Australian Consumer Law in relation to statements made by SmileDirectClub about possible private health insurance coverage for patients treated using clear aligners manufactured by SmileDirectClub and using the telehealth platform operated by SmileDirectClub.  
• Advising ZeniMax Media Inc in relation to an investigation by the ACCC.  The ACCC accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from ZeniMax in settlement of the matter.  
• Advising EB Games in relation to an investigation by the ACCC.  The ACCC accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from EB Games in settlement of the matter.  
• Representing Little Company of Mary Health Care Limited (LCMHC) in enforcement proceedings brought by the ACCC in the Federal Court. LCMHC is a healthcare organisation that operates Calvary-branded public and private hospitals throughout Australia. The ACCC alleged that certain clauses in the company's by-laws, which governed the relationship between the hospitals operated by LCMHC and the doctors accredited to practice at its hospitals, were anti-competitive in breach of the Competition and Consumer Act (CCA). The parties ultimately agreed to consent orders in settlement of the matter.
• Representing the ACCC in the Australian Competition Tribunal in relation to Cooperative Bulk Handling Limited's (CBH) application to review the ACCC's decision to revoke CBH's exclusive dealing notification. The notification allowed CBH to require Western Australian grain growers and marketers who use its 'up-country' storage facilities to also use its transport services to deliver grain to port for export. The Tribunal affirmed the ACCC's decision to revoke the notification previously granted to CBH.
  ACCC market studies and other inquiries
• Advising a major insurer in relation to the ACCC’s Northern Australia Insurance Inquiry. 
• Advising a major hotel chain in relation to the ACCC’s inquiry into customer loyalty schemes.
  Mergers and acquisitions
• Providing various private sector clients with merger clearance advice and preparing applications for informal merger clearances, including in the packaging, logistics, steel, energy, timber, edible oils, mining and insurance industries.
• Acting for Cox Australia Media Solutions in the sale of its business, including the online platforms CarsGuides.com.au and Autotrader.com.au, to Gumtree AU Pty Ltd.  This matter involved an application to the ACCC for merger authorisation, only the second ever such application lodged.  The ACCC granted the authorisation.  
• Representing the ACCC in the Australian Competition Tribunal in relation to the applications by Murray Goulburn and AGL Energy Limited for merger authorisation. These were the first applications for merger authorisation in Australia.
• Advising the ACCC in relation to its consideration of whether Google’s $2.8 billion acquisition of Fitbit raised any concerns under section 50 of the Competition and Consumer Act.  The transaction concerned multiple markets, including developing health markets and technology markets.  The acquisition was also considered by competition law regulators in Europe, the US and Canada.  
  Advice on other competition law and restrictive trade practices matters
• Advising Asahi Beverages on a joint venture to build and operate a new PET plastic recycling facility.  This joint venture will drive a significant increase in Victoria’s PET recycling capacity.  
• Advising a major car manufacturer in relation to sales channels for its electric cars.

Advice on Australian Consumer Law matters

• Advising major corporations, including an Australian airport, a food manufacturer, a motoring industry association, a car manufacturer and a pharmaceuticals company, on compliance with the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) in relation to various advertising and marketing issues, including fine print/disclaimers in advertising, comparative advertising, testimonials, environmental or 'green' claims, consumer guarantees and product safety."