The Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities
(CICRA) have reminded businesses that competition law remains in
force despite the COVID-19 pandemic although they have confirmed
that the approach to enforcement will be pragmatic. Whilst it
remains to be seen if the separation of CICRA from 1 July 2020
impacts the approaches taken, it may now be more important than
ever for business to reconsider the requirements of the Channel
Islands' competition laws.
Anti-competitive arrangements
- Anti-competitive agreements are prohibited in both Guernsey and
Jersey, very much in summary, where the object or the effect of the
agreement is to hinder or prevent competition to an appreciable
extent. Regulators will continue to investigate alleged breaches of
the law and will not allow businesses to exploit the crisis as a
pretence for non-essential collusion.
