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ARTICLE · 16 MARCH 2011

Procedural Adjudicator To Be Trialled In OFT Competition Act Investigations

SJ Berwin LLP
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As well as finalising its Competition Act Procedures Guidance, the OFT has announced the introduction of a new procedural adjudicator to resolve disputes on procedural issues in Competition Act 1998 ('CA98') cases.

United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
SJ Berwin'S EU & Competition Team
SJ Berwin'S EU & Competition Team

As well as finalising its Competition Act Procedures Guidance, the OFT has announced the introduction of a new procedural adjudicator to resolve disputes on procedural issues in Competition Act 1998 ('CA98') cases. 

The new procedural adjudicator will be an OFT staff member, independent from the case team, who will report to the CEO.  Jackie Holland, Director of Competition Policy at the OFT, is to take on the role from 21 March.  Under the one-year pilot, parties to a CA98 investigation can ask the adjudicator to review decisions on procedural matters - for example the deadlines imposed on companies to respond to requests or decisions on confidentiality redactions.  The new formal adjudicator mechanism has been broadly welcomed and should lead to more transparency and consistency on procedural matters.

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