Protecting consumers from the rising cost of food: the European Commission continues to scrutinise the food sector within the European Union

Wragge & Co's food sector specialists consider the most recent statement of policy in this sector, as given by Joaquín Almunia, Vice President of the Commission responsible for Competition Policy.

Consumer and SME redress for antitrust infringements could get a whole lot easier

The UK Department of Business Innovation and Skills has announced its plans for the reform of private actions in competition law. The reforms aim to expedite justice by making it substantially easier for consumers and businesses (SMEs in particular) to seek redress for competition law infringements.

Competition Commission shines a light on key questions under examination in its first NHS hospital merger investigation

The Competition Commission (Commission) has published the issues statement in the proposed merger of The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Smaller players not immune from investigation by national competition authorities - ECJ hands down key judgment in Expedia v Autorité de la concurrence

In its judgment in Expedia v Autorité de la concurrence last week, the ECJ confirmed that national competition authorities are empowered under European Union (EU) competition law to investigate agreements, arrangements and understandings between companies which have only limited market shares.

CJEU hands down landmark judgment in AstraZeneca competition case

Yesterday, the Court of Justice of the European Union handed down its judgment in respect of AstraZeneca's appeal against its €52.5 million fine imposed by the European Commission for abuse of a dominant position. The decision comes some thirteen years since the initial complaint in this matter.

All change for land use restrictions? OFT announces implementation date for Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010 test

Hungry for more? The European Commission launches a dedicated Food Task Force to focus upon possible antitrust infringements in the EU food sector

The European Commission has responded to mounting concerns regarding the rising cost of food in the EU by launching its own internal Food Task Force within the Directorate-General of Competition.

Competitive Healthcare?

On 8 December 2011, the OFT issued its report on the private healthcare market study announcing its proposed decision to make a market investigation reference (MIR) to the Competition Commission. There is now a period of consultation up to 30 January 2012 before the reference decision can be made.

Public consultation on review of current rules for technology transfer agreements

The European Commission is undertaking a review of the current EU competition rules on technology transfer agreements, namely the technology transfer block exemption regulation (TTBER), in order to consider whether they should be modified or replaced when they expire in April 2014.

Groceries Code Adjudicator - draft bill begins to take shape

After announcing plans to establish the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), an independent body to monitor and enforce the revised Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP), the Government issued a draft GCA Bill in May.

Draft Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill - time to have your say

On 3 August 2010, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announced the Government's decision to establish an independent body to monitor and enforce the revised Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP).

Make sure you stay clear of the competition minefield. Bernardine Adkins gives a brief guide.

OFT guideline on land agreements

From 6 April 2011, all land agreements will become subject to competition law. Following a consultation which ran from October 2010 to January 2011, the Office of Fair Trading has published the final form of its guidance on how competition law will be applied to land agreements.

Reducing the fines imposed upon the construction sector: What can industry and the OFT learn from the CAT's judgment?

On 11 March 2011, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) handed down its judgment in respect of six appeals lodged by 25 companies against the magnitude of the fines imposed by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) following its investigation into the UK construction sector.

European Commission publishes submissions on horizontal cooperation agreements consultation

The European Commission has published the stakeholder submissions it received on its consultation on horizontal cooperation agreements. Of the 100-plus responses received, the key areas of controversy have been around intellectual property rights.

Unhappy returns - the AstraZeneca case strikes again

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) announced this morning that Reckitt Benckiser has agreed to pay a penalty of £10.2 million for an abuse of dominant position in the market for the NHS supply of alginate and antacid heartburn medicines.

Retaining legal professional privilege following the Akzo judgment

On 14 September 2010, the Court of Justice of the European Union gave its much awaited judgment in Akzo Nobel Chemicals Ltd and Akcros Chemicals Ltd v European Commission.

Competition law and land agreements: as safe as houses?

Are your land agreements facing an uncertain future?

General election manifestos and supermarket regulation - a 'blow' for democracy?

Last week, the Labour Party, Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats rolled out their manifestos ahead of the general election on 6 May 2010.

Each manifesto alludes to the GSCOP which came into force on 4 February 2010 through The Groceries (Supply Chain Practices) Market Investigation Order 2009.

Consultation on supermarket regulator

The Groceries (Supply Chain Practices Market Investigation) Order 2009 (GSCOP) came into effect on 4 February 2010. The Order requires certain supermarkets to have written terms with the majority of their suppliers of goods for resale in place.

Terms to be imposed into supplier:retailer grocery contracts

On 4 February 2010 the Groceries (Supply Chain Practices Market Investigation) Order 2009 (the Order) comes into effect.

Response from Wragge & Co LLP to the Consultation on the Review of the Vertical Restraints Block Exemption Regulation and Guidelines

Wragge & Co has provided comments on the European Commission's consultation on the draft vertical restraints block exemption and draft guidelines on supply and distribution agreements.

End of the road for Norris - a cautionary tale for salacious executives

Ian Norris, former CEO of Morgan Crucible, has failed in his latest attempt to avoid extradition to the US and faces spending the rest of his retirement at President Obama's pleasure.

A new coalition for competition?

As the European Commission announced today its largest-ever fine of €1.06 billion on chip maker Intel Corporation, the US is gearing up to take a more aggressive tack towards redressing monopolistic practices.

Shoots of growth - for a more benign merger regime - or a false dawn?

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has applied the so-called 'failing firm' defence for the first time since issuing a restatement of its position in December 2008.

Springtime comes to German merger filings...

Recent changes to German competition law have heralded in Spring for corporate and antitrust lawyers engaged in multi-jurisdictional mergers.

European Commission publishes preliminary findings of Pharmaceutical Inquiry - and opens up a hornets' nest

At a conference in Brussels today, the European Commission delivered its preliminary findings on the Pharmaceutical Sector Inquiry.

Car component manufacturers under scrutiny as cartel fines hit record high

Only this month, the European Commission imposed its highest total and individual fines yet on an illegal market-sharing cartel which took place in the car glass manufacturing sector.

Investigation of competition law infringements; what powers do the competition authorities have to conduct a search in my home?

As today's headlines show, there's yet more evidence that the competition authorities will stop at nothing to bring the perpetrators of anti-competitive behaviour to justice.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to: health minister accuses GPs of cartel activity

Prison sentences for marine hose cartelists

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has finally used the sharpest instrument in its cartel-busting toolkit, with the first prison sentences being passed against three British businessmen (a combined term of over eight years) under the cartel offence.

CC finds fault with PPI industry

On 5 June 2008, the Competition Commission (CC) published its provisional findings regarding competition in the Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) industry.

Is it time for the supermarkets to bite back?

The Competition Commission's (CC) final report on competition in the grocery market has been published today, following a three-year investigation. The verdict is largely a clean bill of health for the supermarket chains.

Norris avoids US extradition - but for how long?

The House of Lords has today confirmed that Ian Norris, former chief executive of Morgan Crucible, will not be extradited to the US on the charge of price-fixing.

OFT criticised by High Court judge for milking publicity

CC recommends triple whammy for the 'Big Four'

Apple dances to the European Commission's tune

Marine hoses leave three UK businessmen in a tangle in maiden cartel offence prosecution

Supermarket sweep - OFT ups ante with dairy fines

When the Commission comes to call: legal privilege vis-à-vis the European Commission

OFT launches market study into housebuilding: a help or a hindrance?

ORR refers the ROSCOs - a railway bridge too far?

EU action in the energy sector

In a public presentation yesterday,1 Neelie Kroes, the European Commissioner responsible for competition, has announced that the European Commission is preparing an assault on anti-competitive practices in the energy sector.

'Co-dependent' schools - when is an information exchange permissible?

Austrian province loses test case for regional ban on GMOs

International flights will soon be subject to EU emission limits

As an incentive to airlines to reduce the escalating greenhouse gas emissions from international flights, the European Commission is proposing to fix the number of emission allowances for each operator.

Wragge & Co named Litigation and Regulatory Team of the Year

Wragge & Co has been crowned 'Litigation and Regulatory Team of the Year' at the 2011 British Legal Awards. The judges named the firm the winner from a shortlist comprising Freshfields, Herbert Smith, Rosenblatt Solicitors, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Taylor Wessing.

Wragge & Co advises Origin Enterprises on £19 million acquisition

Wragge & Co's corporate experts have advised agricultural services group Origin Enterprises on its £19 million acquisition of the fertiliser activities of Carrs Milling Industries PLC, CM Fertilisers Limited.

Wragge & Co represents Thomas Vale in the Competition Appeal Tribunal's biggest-ever appeal

Today the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has handed down judgment in the Office of Fair Trading's biggest-ever case, which concerned 'cover pricing' in the construction industry.

Wragge & Co advises De Rigo on Dollond & Aitchison and Boots Opticians merger

Wragge & Co LLP has advised De Rigo, Italian parent company of Dollond & Aitchison, on creating the UK's second largest optical chain. De Rigo and Alliance Boots have agreed to merge Dollond & Aitchison and Boots Opticians.

Wragge & Co's Life Sciences practice grows

Wragge & Co LLP has boosted its Life Sciences practice with the appointment of Dr Luke Kempton as a partner. With significant expertise in life sciences litigation, Luke will be a major force in driving forward the life sciences practice.

Wragge & Co wins United Biscuits role

Wragge & Co completes €41 million cross-border life sciences deal

Ignorance is bliss: but it's no defence

With the OFT breathing down our necks, it would be wise not to get caught out on competition rules because you didn't know they existed.

So, what's the damage?

Construction companies accused by the OFT will be wondering how bad things are going to be for them. Here's the answer.

Make sure you stay clear of the competition minefield. Bernardine Adkins gives a brief guide.