United Kingdom

• Pages: 1-223

CHAPTER 23

UNITED KINGDOM

United Kingdom-3

CONTENTS

A.OVERVIEW.......................................................................................................... 11

1. General Policies Underlying the Competition Laws ................................. 11

a.Introduction....................................................................................... 11

b. Principal Objectives.......................................................................... 12

c.Application of Relevant Economic Doctrines .................................. 13

(1)Anticompetitive Agreements and Practices.............................. 13

(2)Merger Control......................................................................... 14

2. Overview of Applicable Statutes............................................................... 15

a.The Competition Act ........................................................................ 15

b. The EnterpriseAct............................................................................ 15

(1)Cartel Offense .......................................................................... 16

(2)Disqualification of Directors .................................................... 17

(3)Supercomplaints ....................................................................... 17

(4)Market Investigations ............................................................... 17

(5)Merger Control......................................................................... 18

(6)Guidance and Secondary Legislation ....................................... 18

(7)Articles 101 and 102 of the TFEU ........................................... 18

c.The Consumer Rights Act 2015........................................................ 19

3. Overview of Structure, Independence, and Jurisdiction of

Enforcement Agencies .............................................................................. 20

a.CMA ................................................................................................. 20

b. Sectoral Regulators........................................................................... 21

c.Secretary of State.............................................................................. 22

d. SFO................................................................................................... 23

4. Overview ofStructure, Independence, and Jurisdiction of

Judicial Authorities ................................................................................... 23

a.CAT .................................................................................................. 23

b. Civil Courts....................................................................................... 24

c.Criminal Courts ................................................................................ 25

5. Additional Policy and Practical Considerations........................................ 25

B.SUBSTANTIVE LAW ............................................................................................ 28

1. Horizontal Agreements and Practices ....................................................... 28

a.Generally........................................................................................... 28

b. The Chapter I Prohibition................................................................. 28

(1)Introduction .............................................................................. 28

(2)Elements................................................................................... 29

(a) Agreements, Decisions by Associations of

Undertakings, and Concerted Practices............................ 30

(b)The Meaning of “Undertaking” ......................................... 30

(c)Ability to Affect Trade ...................................................... 32

(d)Prevention, Restriction, or Distortion

of Competition................................................................... 32

(3)Types of Agreements That May Breach the Prohibition.......... 33