UK antitrust investigations and appeals

NOTE—On 24 May 2024, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC Act 2024) received Royal Assent. The DMCC Act 2024 introduces significant reforms to UK competition law (across merger control, antitrust, market studies/investigations and digital markets). This Overview will be updated to reflect the relevant changes in due course. For the key changes introduced by the DMCC Act 2024, see further, The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024: key provisions from a competition and digital markets perspective.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigates allegations of anti-competitive behaviour that have an impact in the UK (breaches of Chapter I and/or Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998). Investigations are carried out under the Competition Act 1998.

Investigations can start in one of four ways:

•
a company involved in wrongdoing blowing the whistle
•
an individual involved in wrongdoing blowing the whistle
•
a complaint from a third party, or
•
the CMA receiving general market intelligence suggesting a breach of competition law.

If an investigation is launched, it will follow a set process. Investigations can take

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Competition News

UK Competition law—daily round-up (21/11/2024)

A round-up of UK competition law developments, including (amongst other things) the CMA’s response to the Government's Industrial Strategy Green Paper and publishes speech by Sarah Cardell on how the CMA ‘is rising to the challenge on growth’.

EU Competition law—daily round-up (21/11/2024)

A round-up of EU competition law developments, including (amongst other things) the latest EUMR and State aid developments.

Competition weekly highlights—21 November 2024

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the CMA refers to phase 2 with the following mergers: Boparan/ForFarmers (Burston and Radstock mills) and GXO/Wincanton, (2) the CAT’s judgment setting aside CMA’s remittal in Pfizer/Flynn phenytoin sodium capsules investigation, remaking the decision and imposing fines largely matching those previously issued by the CMA, and (3) the CMA’s decision to launch a consultation on draft new guidance for road fuel monitoring. This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Commission’s decision to fine Meta €797m for Facebook Marketplace abuses, and (2) the Commission’s announcement that Booking.com must comply with all relevant obligations under the Digital Markets Act.

UK Competition law—daily round-up (20/11/2024)

A round-up of UK competition law developments, including (amongst other things) (1) the CMA’s announcement that it has referred to phase 2 the Boparan/ForFarmers (Burston and Radstock mills) merger, and (2) the CAT’s judgment setting aside CMA’s remittal in Pfizer/Flynn phenytoin sodium capsules investigation, remaking the decision and imposing fines largely matching those previously issued by the CMA.