There's a new beast on the prowl in the legal jungle. Though
still lurking in the shadows, it is due to emerge from the trees
into the open sunlight come springtime. And it's a big one.
Its name – the Competition and Markets Authority –
isn't exactly thrilling. Nor is its status as a
"non-ministerial department of the Department for Business,
Innovation & Skills". But it is set to be the new Lion
King of UK competition law, and as such will need to be approached
with caution. Even if only half of the verbiage about mission and
vision that attended its so-called "shadow launch" in
October 2013 is to be taken seriously, it looks likely to inject
new vim and vigor into UK competition law – a long overdue
step, in the view of many. And there'll be blood on the jungle
floor, for the Competition Commission is to be gutted; the Office
of Fair Trading, whose record in prosecuting competition law
offences has been dismal, is to be largely emasculated; and, though
sectoral
