According to a recent report issued by the department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Investment Security Unit (ISU) received 222 notifications in the first three months of the UK’s new National Security and Investment Act 2021 (NSIA) coming into force. Of these notifications, 17 were called in for further assessment. This report … Continue Reading
On 20 July 2021, the UK government announced a consultation, titled “A new pro-competition regime for digital markets” (the Consultation), which proposes a number of radical changes that would introduce a new regulatory regime applying to the largest digital platforms operating in the UK. The proposals include formally establishing a Digital Markets Unit (DMU) within … Continue Reading
On 20 July 2021 the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published a consultation, which proposes a number of potentially far-reaching changes to competition and consumer law and policy. The proposed reforms set out in the consultation, Reforming Competition and Consumer Policy: Driving growth and delivering competitive markets that work for consumers (the Consultation), … Continue Reading
The new Subsidy Control Bill (the Bill) recently had its first reading in the House of Commons. Once passed into law, this Bill will introduce a new UK regime regulating the distribution of subsidies from government bodies to businesses in the UK. The Bill is significant and is expected by many to be the biggest … Continue Reading
Following a period of relative leniency for pharmaceutical companies, a Multilateral Pharmaceutical Merger Task Force formed by key antitrust enforcement agencies has been established to review and update merger analysis. The task force includes representatives from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Canadian Competition Bureau, the European Commission Directorate General for Competition, the UK’s Competition … Continue Reading
Becoming a theme of increasing concern, competition regimes from across the globe have started to take new measures to sanction natural persons. To address these latest developments, we have provided a global analysis of the issue in our latest client alert – click here to read the full piece. This update is the third in … Continue Reading
The EU and UK have very similar systems of competition law enforcement however Brexit has given the UK a degree of autonomy and the opportunity to apply its own rules and regulations independent of the European Commission. We consider the likely practical impact of Brexit across three key areas of competition enforcement: investigations into violations of … Continue Reading
The Competition and Markets Authority continues to assert that competition rules have and will continue to apply fully throughout the crisis, even though competition authorities have introduced certain changes in processes which enable flexibility in the approach in which their powers are exercised. But, the uncertainty that still exists around the pandemic makes it difficult … Continue Reading
In our latest client alert, we provide a practical overview of the UK’s recently published National Security and Investment Bill, which forms part of a new regime that greatly extends the government’s power to intervene in takeovers of UK businesses if there is a threat to national security. In addition to proving background on this … Continue Reading
With reports of excessive pricing on the rise around the globe, it is critical that companies understand the price gouging rules and regulations and their enforcement in each country where they do business. Our team has compiled a global price gouging resource guide to help our clients navigate the differing approaches taken by governments and regulatory … Continue Reading
Continuing our podcast series on price gouging laws, members of our global antitrust lawyers focus on the situation around price gouging (excessive pricing) in the EU, France, Germany and the UK in our latest instalment. The COVID-19 crisis has cast new light on excessive pricing practices in Europe, our team explains the impact the pandemic … Continue Reading
In certain jurisdictions, having a tailored and comprehensive compliance programme in place may reduce the size of a fine resulting from anticompetitive activity. Members from across our global competition team have come together to analyse the approaches of key jurisdictions and whether they offer discounts for businesses that have breached competition rules but have a … Continue Reading
Though competition compliance programmes may differ across jurisdictions, having one is widely regarded as essential. A way to ensure competition rules are effectively followed is to ingrain competition compliance into company culture. In our latest client alert, we consider the Competition and Markets Authority’s recent initiatives, and what steps businesses can take to foster a … Continue Reading
At a Glance: The CMA’s conclusion that it has jurisdiction to review Amazon’s 16% shareholding in Deliveroo serves as a reminder that control can arise even at low levels of shareholding. Minority shareholders who enjoy significant influence on the company’s policy direction and strategic commercial decisions may be considered to have sufficient control to trigger … Continue Reading
At a glance The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has recently taken action against companies that have not complied with market investigation orders and undertakings across a range of industries. The CMA appears to be more actively enforcing against breaches of market investigation orders and undertakings – the remedies imposed by the CMA to address adverse … Continue Reading
When COVID-19 swept the globe and disrupted the production and distribution of goods, it gave way to some companies taking advantage of consumers by significantly increasing prices. As governments across the world have started taking action against unfair or excessive prices, we examine the global enforcement trends in this space and offer practical advice to … Continue Reading
As the UK takes steps to introduce new foreign direct investment (FDI) rules, it is important for investors from outside the UK or EU to consider these new rules at the outset of transactions in particular sectors. We discuss this latest move and consider what impact the new measures may have, in our latest client … Continue Reading
At a glance First formal action against price gouging in the UK Case will be a test of the fitness of the current legal framework to tackle price gouging Approach to establishing dominance and excessive pricing in the COVID-19 context will impact future enforcement in the UK and possibly in other jurisdictions Amongst the initial … Continue Reading
Earlier this month, the UK Competition and Markets Authority announced that it has prohibited the completed acquisition by JD Sports of Footasylum. We take a detailed look at the case and consider what the CMA’s third prohibition decision of the year signals for future merger activity in the UK. Read the full client alert here. … Continue Reading
