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 Enterprise Act ............................................................................ 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 of Structure, 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