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ARTICLE · 15 MAY 2023

Digital Markets, Competition And Consumers Bill: Significant Consumer Law Reforms

Norton Rose Fulbright
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The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (the Bill)1 was introduced into Parliament this week and is expected to enter into force in 2024.

United KingdomConsumer Protection
Lesley Browning
Lesley Browning
Caroline Thomas
Caroline Thomas
Mark Tricker
Mark Tricker
Jamie Cooke
Jamie Cooke
Jack Jeffries
Jack Jeffries

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (the Bill)1 was introduced into Parliament this week and is expected to enter into force in 2024.

According to the Government's press release2, the new legislation is intended to "ensure businesses and consumers are protected from rip-offs and can reap the full benefits of the digital economy with confidence". In order to achieve this, the Bill will (inter alia):

  1. Strengthen the CMA's powers to investigate and directly enforce consumer protection law, including a new power to impose penalties on businesses of up to 10 per cent of global turnover.
  2. Update and enhance consumer rights in a number of areas including subscription traps, fake online reviews and prepayments.

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