Focus Antitrust 8 July 2020
In The News
CMA completes market study into online platforms and the digital advertising market
The CMA has completed its market study into online platforms and the digital advertising market in the UK, concluding that competition is not working well in these markets and recommending a new pro-competition regulatory regime to govern the behaviour of major platforms funded by digital advertising, such as Google and Facebook. Click here.
CMA publishes further update from its COVID-19 taskforce
The CMA has published a third update from its COVID-19 taskforce, which monitors and responds to competition and consumer problems arising from the pandemic. Click here.
High Court orders disqualification of estate agent cartel director
The High Court has ordered the disqualification of a director whose Somerset estate agency breached competition law. Click here.
EU
European Commission
- The European Commission has sent a supplementary statement of objections to Sigma as part of its ongoing investigation into whether Sigma provided incorrect and/or misleading information to the Commission in the context of the merger review of its acquisition by Merck. Click here.
UK
CMA
- The CMA is proposing to refer ION’s completed purchase of Broadway Technology for a detailed investigation unless the parties offer suitable undertakings in lieu of a reference. The CMA has found that the merger raises competition concerns in the supply of electronic trading systems. Click here.
Our thinking
Kelvin Tanner
Sponsor Licence Compliance: Key considerations & how to be audit ready
Join us for the third in our series of mini webinars on post Brexit immigration about sponsor licence compliance.
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.
Marc-Us Ong
Data Protection: All roads lead back to the GDPR
Across the globe, jurisdictions continue to develop their data protection and privacy laws.
Helen Coward
New tax on property developers - consultation paper published
The government published a consultation paper on the design of the new residential property developers tax.
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.