On 27 January, the CMA published guidance for businesses on the application of UK competition law to co-operative agreements aimed at achieving environmental or sustainability objectives (the Guidance). The role of competition law in supporting environmental initiatives has seen greater focus as the UK government pursues its 2050 net zero target and the European Union seeks to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 (discussed here). The Guidance explains the application of existing block exemptions and guidance for firms assessing whether agreements with sustainability objectives risk infringing competition law, and is part of a wider programme of activities that the CMA is carrying out to support sustainability objectives.
Kerilee Investments Limited v International Tin Association Limited
On 26 January 2021, the CAT published notice of a claim for damages by Kerilee Investments Limited (Kerilee) against the International Tin Association Ltd (ITA). Kerilee is a metal trading SME, incorporated in the UK. The ITA is a UK-based and incorporated trade association and special purpose entity incorporated by guarantee in the UK. The ITA is responsible for the governance, policy, financial, executive and secretariat functions of the International Tin Supply Chain Initiative (ITSCI) conflict mineral due-diligence programme.
Justin Le Patourel v BT Group PLC
On 26 January 2021, the CAT published an application to commence a collective proceedings order against BT for charging excessive prices to customers supplied with certain residential landline services. The claim arises from a review of the market for standalone landline telephone services conducted by Ofcom in 2017. Ofcom found that BT charged prices above the competitive level to customers who bought standalone residential landline telephone services (voice only customers).
FNZ (Australia) Bidco Pty Ltd v Competition And Markets Authority
On 25 January 2021, the CAT published an order remitting the assessment of the completed acquisition of GBST Holdings Limited
UKRS Training Limited v NSAR
On 15 January 2021, the CAT published an order consenting to UKRS Training Limited (UKRS) withdrawing its action against NSAR Limited (NSAR) alleging a breach of the Chapter 2 prohibition.
FP McCann Limited v Competition and Markets Authority
On 13 January 2021, the CAT published an order confirming FP McCann Limited (FPM) had infringed the Chapter 1 Prohibition by engaging in a price-fixing and market sharing cartel. As a result, the first condition required for a competition directors disqualification order (CDO) against two of FPM’s directors, Eoin McCann and Francis McCann, was satisfied.
FP Mccann Limited v Competition and Markets Authority and (1) Eoin McCann Francis McCann
On 22 December 2020, the CAT dismissed FP McCann Limited’s (FPM) appeal against the penalty imposed on FPM by the CMA for participating in an illegal cartel relating to precast concrete drainage products (see UK Competition Newsletter, October 2019).
Mastercard Incorporated and Others (Appellants) V Walter Hugh Merricks CBE (Respondent)
On 11 December 2020, the UK Supreme Court handed down its judgment concerning the standard to be applied when certifying collective proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) for breaches of the Competition Act 1998 (the Act). Under the Act, collective proceedings may not be pursued beyond the issue and service of a claim form without the CAT’s certification, in the form of a Collective Proceedings Order (CPO).
CMA’s Digital Markets Taskforce Proposes a New Regulatory Regime for Digital Markets
On 15 October 2020, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) revoked a £300,000 penalty it had imposed on JD Sports Fashion plc for breach of an interim enforcement order (IEO) issued in connection with JD Sports’ completed acquisition of Footasylum plc. The penalty was withdrawn “[i]n light of issues raised on appeal.” This is the first time that a CMA procedural fine has been revoked or overturned on appeal. On 19 and 20 October 2020, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) heard Facebook’s appeal against the CMA’s refusal to grant a derogation from an IEO issued in connection with Facebook’s completed acquisition of GIPHY, Inc. This article considers potential implications of these cases for future UK mergers.
JD Sports Fashion plc v Competition and Markets Authority
On 1 September 2020, JD Sports Fashion and Pentland Group Limited filed an appeal against a CMA decision of 29 July 2020 to impose a penalty of £300,000 on the parties for failing to comply with the requirements of the CMA’s initial enforcement order issued in the context of the completed acquisition by JD Sports of Footasylum plc.