Focus Antitrust - 1 April 2020

In The News

Government excludes certain agreements relating to health services, groceries and Solent maritime crossings from prohibition on anticompetitive agreements in light of COVID-19

In light of COVID-19, the Government has issued orders excluding certain agreements relating to health services, groceries and Solent maritime crossings from the Chapter I prohibition on anti-competitive agreements. Click here.

CMA publishes competition law guidance on business co-operation in response to COVID-19

The CMA has published competition law guidance on its approach to business co-operation in response to COVID-19. The guidance indicates that the CMA will not take enforcement action against co-operation which is appropriate and necessary in order to ensure the supply and fair distribution of scarce products and/or services affected by the crisis to all consumers. Click here.

CMA seeks disqualification of two directors of estate agents

The CMA is seeking the disqualification of two directors of estate agents which agreed to fix minimum levels of commission fees for the provision of residential sales services in the Berkshire area. Click here.

EU

Mergers

• The European Commission has opened an in-depth phase 2 merger investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Tachosil by Johnson & Johnson. The Commission is concerned that the merger may reduce potential competition and innovation for the supply of dual haemostatic patches. Click here.

UK

CMA

• The CMA is proposing to refer FNZ’s purchase of GBST for a detailed phase 2 merger investigation, unless the parties offer suitable undertakings in lieu of a reference. The CMA considers that the merger raises competition concerns in the provision of retail investment platform solutions in the UK. Click here.

• The Secretary of State has decided that DMG Media’s merger with JPIMedia Publications does not raise public interest issues. The CMA has also concluded its competition assessment and cleared the transaction. Click here.