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ARTICLE · 30 JANUARY 2025

U.K. Consumer Enforcement Overhaul

A&O Shearman
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The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 will result in a landmark overhaul of the U.K. consumer protection regime. It will dramatically increase the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)'s...

United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Imogen Carr
Imogen Carr
Dominic Long
Dominic Long
Thomas Masterman
Thomas Masterman
Matthew Readings
Matthew Readings
David Weaver
David Weaver
James Webber
James Webber
Louise Tolley
Louise Tolley
Emily Bourne
Emily Bourne
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The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 will result in a landmark overhaul of the U.K. consumer protection regime. It will dramatically increase the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)'s enforcement powers and expand the scope of the regime to cover additional practices. There are seven key changes you need to be aware of.

1. CMA will be able to enforce consumer law directly

  • The CMA has been increasing its focus on practices which cause consumers harm for several years. In particular, it has been bolstering its enforcement action against online businesses and online choice architecture decisions that may mislead consumers. The CMA has until now however lacked the tools to enforce against unfair behavior itself.

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