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ARTICLE · 08 APRIL 2014

The New Competition And Markets Authority – Super Regulator Or Same As It Ever Was?

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
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Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

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This briefing looks at the establishment of the new UK competition regulator, the CMA, and the associated changes to the UK competition regime.

United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Paul Stone
Paul Stone

This briefing looks at the establishment of the new UK competition regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), and the associated changes to the UK competition regime. The CMA took up its powers on 1 April 2014.

The CMA hopes to have more resources to pursue competition cases than its predecessors. Companies would be well advised therefore to review their competition compliance programmes to ensure they are working effectively.

Background

The UK government decided to review the UK competition regime in 2011. It was concerned that there was unnecessary duplication between the existing competition regulators (the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the Competition Commission) and that competition cases were taking too long to be completed. It was also concerned about the duration of market investigations and the ability of the competition regulators to deal effectively with completed mergers.

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