Focus Antitrust - 06 March 2019
In The News
CMA issues fines of £7 million in design, construction and fit-out cartel
The CMA has fined five companies £7 million for their involvement in a cartel in the design, construction and fit-out sector. The CMA found that each company participated in “cover bidding” in competitive tenders. Click here.
CMA issues statement of objections in hydrocortisone tablets case
The CMA has issued a statement of objections in the hydrocortisone tablets case. The CMA has provisionally found that, from July 2011 to April 2015, the sole supplier of hydrocortisone tablets in the UK, Auden Mckenzie, and its rival, Waymade, entered into anti-competitive agreements. The CMA has also provisionally found that this may have involved Auden Mckenzie abusing its dominant position by making monthly payments to Waymade not to enter the market. Click here.
CMA seeks director disqualification orders in estate agency case
The CMA is seeking the disqualification of two former directors of residential estate agents in Somerset that were fined for breach of the Chapter I prohibition of the Competition Act 1998 in May 2017. Click here.
EU
Articles 101 and 102
- The European Commission has fined Autoliv and TRW €368 million for taking part in two cartels for the supply of car seatbelts, airbags and steering wheels to European car producers. Takata was not fined as it revealed the cartels to the Commission. Click here.
UK
CMA
- The CMA is consulting on whether the scope of its proposed market investigation reference in the funeral sector should be extended to include the funeral services supplied by funeral directors arising from the redemption of pre-paid funeral plans. Click here.
- The CMA served an unwinding order on Tobii AB, Smartbox Assistive Technology Limited and Sensory Software International Limited in relation to the completed acquisition by Tobii AB of Smartbox Assistive Technology Limited and Sensory Software International Ltd. Click here.
For more information please contact Paul Stone on +44 (0)20 7203 5110 or at paul.stone@crsblaw.com.
Our thinking
Emma Humphreys
The Future of Property Careers
Join to our panel discussion and Q&A with industry leaders on the range of opportunities within the property and construction sector.
Procuring modular housing: Is MMC becoming mainstream?
Is Modern Methods of Construction becoming mainstream? Read what it means for Development and Procurement here.
Mark Howard
Dual class share structures: how do they work and what are the pros and cons?
Dual class share structures allow a shareholder, for example the founder, to retain voting control over a company.
Georgina Muskett
Q&A: Talking the telecoms talk
Georgina Muskett and Jonathan Wills answer queries on Electronic Communications Code agreement.
Rachel Warren
Property Patter: Navigating the complexities of Pharmacy Property
Pharmacy property is a specialist area which contains many traps for the unwary.
Nick Hurley
COVID-19 Vaccination – can an employer make it compulsory for employees?
We review what legal issues to take into account when considering to make vaccination compulsory as an employer.
Georgia Sutton
Music to our ears? Well, perhaps not for Apple.
A feud first began when the music streaming giant, Spotify, filed a complaint against music streaming provide rand competitor, Apple Inc.
Michael Powner
Linking ESG and Executive Pay
How does a business go about embedding a focus on strong ESG performance into the structures and culture of its organisation?
Paul Stone
National Security and Investment Act granted Royal Assent
The Act establishes a new regime for the review of mergers, acquisitions and other transactions that could threaten national security.
Ray Ng
Recent Trends In Firewall Legislation: BVI, Bermuda And Gibraltar
Andrew Clarke
Charles Russell Speechlys advises Waverton on acquisition of Cornerstone Asset Management
Established in July 2010 and with offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Cornerstone offers wealth management and financial planning advice.
Lauren Spark
What do the new Debt Respite Scheme Regulations mean for Landlords and Tenants?
This will provide legal protection from creditors in the form of either a breathing space or a mental health crisis moratorium.
Simon Ridpath
Charles Russell Speechlys promotes five to Partner
The promotions are effective 1 May 2021 and are accompanied by one Legal Director and 15 Senior Associate promotions.
Emma Humphreys
Risk allocation in commercial leases: the High Court considers rent suspension, insurance and frustration arguments
Read our summary of the full judgement on the latest Covid arrears case.
Robert Reymond
Charles Russell Speechlys boosts private wealth offering with the hire of an international tax team
Robert Reymond will be joined at the firm by Leigh Nicoll, Emma Tyrrell and Oliver Cooper.
James Scott
Proposed Takeover Code Amendments – Key Changes
The Consultation Paper has now been followed by a corresponding response paper which made certain modifications to the initial proposals.
Paul Stone
Competition and Markets Authority announces review of the EU vertical agreements block exemption
The UK Competition and Markets Authority is reviewing the future application of the EU vertical agreements block exemption in the UK.
Anna Rogers
Playing Copycat – Why have M&S begun legal action against Aldi over Colin the Caterpillar?
M&S’s chocolate caterpillar was the first of its kind to land on our supermarket shelves, over 30 years ago.
Caroline Swain
Building Back Better: Future Gazing
What’s next for the hospitality industry post-pandemic?
Caroline Swain
Building Back Better: Re-examining your proposition
Why hospitality businesses should re-examine their proposition now