Focus Antitrust - 24 March 2021
In The News
CMA obtains director disqualification undertakings in pre-cast concrete drainage products cartel case
The CMA has obtained director disqualification undertakings from two former directors of FP McCann Ltd for their participation in a cartel relating to pre-cast concrete drainage products. The directors will be disqualified for 12 years and 11 years respectively, the longest periods for director disqualification by the CMA to date. This follows the CMA’s infringement decision in relation to the cartel. Click here.
CMA publishes updated merger assessment guidelines
The CMA has published updated guidelines setting out its approach to analysing mergers, following a public consultation. The guidelines include an increased focus on the potential for future competition, innovation and other non-price related effects, when assessing whether there is likely to be a substantial lessening of competition. Click here.
UK
CMA
- The CMA has published its Annual Plan for 2021 to 2022, setting out its priorities for the year ahead. Click here.
Our thinking
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.
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.
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: Real Estate and Restructuring
How and why should hospitality businesses re-structure post pandemic?
ESG – Searching for substance behind the acronym
ESG is an acronym much used but perhaps less understood.
Paul Stone
Focus Antitrust - 21 April 2021
This week's competition update.
Daniel McDonagh
Burn After Redditting – Scottish Court of Session Lays Down Marker for Online Copyright Protection
Sky UK Ltd have successfully obtained interim protection from infringement of their broadcast rights through links posted on Reddit.
David Coates
Charles Russell Speechlys advises shareholders of Modern Networks on sale to Horizon Capital
Modern Networks is a leading provider of IT support, broadband and telecoms managed services to the UK’s commercial property sector.
Paul Henty
Paul Henty writes for New Law Journal on the often-painful experience of tackling rules of origin post-Brexit
Defining provenance post-Brexit: Paul Henty charts the often-painful experience of tackling rules of origin.
Paul Stone
Focus Antitrust - 14 April 2021
This week's competition update.
Caroline Swain
THE. PUB. IS. OPEN. but for how long?
Emma Humphreys
How will the commercial property market exit COVID-19 restrictions?
Paul Stone
Focus Antitrust - 7 April 2021
This week's competition update.
Rahim Hirji
No ticket, no merger: Viagogo and StubHub are one step closer to merging but must satisfy the CMA’s conditions
The £3.2bn acquisition of online ticketing company Stubhub by one of its competitors, Viagogo is one step closer to being finalised.
Paul Henty
Client alert: Construction under competition law spotlight
We outline the three investigations which have either recently concluded or are ongoing together with what this means for businesses.
Paul Stone
Focus Antitrust - 31 March 2021
This week's competition update.
Mark Bailey
CIS General Insurance Limited v IBM United Kingdom Limited - An analysis
Slow and chaotic – lessons from a digital transformation disaster in CIS General Insurance Limited v IBM United Kingdom Limited.
Adrian Mayer
Charles Russell Speechlys, Strategic Partners of the Asoko Insight West Africa's Family-Owned Business Report
The report is the most comprehensive study of Family-Owned Businesses throughout West Africa.
Paul Stone
Focus Antitrust - 17 March 2021
This week's competition update.