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.