Nick McHugh is a competition and regulatory lawyer based in Sydney. The Head of Antitrust and Competition in Australia, Nick advises utilities, corporate clients and regulators such as the ACCC and the Australian Energy Regulator. Nick has particular experience in advising upon the economic regulation of utilities, including the electricity, gas, water, telecommunications and transport sectors. A large part of his practice is advising on third party access, domestic and cross-border merger clearances, joint ventures, anti-competitive conduct, the National Electricity Law, the National Gas Law and the various state-based energy and transport regulatory frameworks, including contested matters. Nick has represented numerous corporations in investigations conducted by the ACCC in a variety of industries including manufacturing, transport and logistics, media, construction and finance. He has represented clients in competition law matters in the Australia Competition Tribunal, Federal Court and High Court of Australia. Prior to rejoining private practice in 1998, Nick was a senior lawyer with the Australian Government Solicitor principally advising and acting on behalf of the ACCC in the prosecution of competition law matters.