Anti-Competitive Conduct
Scrutiny by competition authorities is increasingly common, and can have very significant effects on a business. Being well prepared is essential.

There are many ways that businesses can be affected by competition law, potentially with serious consequences. We help our clients to minimise those risks.

The best way to deal with problems is to prevent them from happening. We provide clear and practical advice on how to structure agreements – such as for distribution, licensing and supply – to ensure that they comply with competition law. We also help our clients to develop sound risk management strategies and compliance policies. As part of this, we can conduct an in-depth audit of your current arrangements, assess your crisis management procedures, and highlight your particular risks.

If an investigation does occur, we can advise on practical ways to work with the authorities, for example when preparing submissions and responding to requests.

Our expertise includes:

Sector-specific advice on a wide range of agreement types
Advice on market conduct
Advice on how to engage effectively with competition authorities
Cost-efficient and practical advice on handling studies and investigations by UK and EU competition authorities
Support to respond to authorities, such as help with preparing submissions and responding to information requests
Audits of risks and existing procedures

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Gordon Downie

Consultant

Meet our full team

Jonathan Carey

Solicitor

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Gordon Downie

Consultant

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Jamie McRorie

Partner

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Related articles and insights: Anti-Competitive Conduct

22 October 2024

The DMCC Act: Subscription contract compliance

Contributor: Jonathan Carey

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 develops the law regulating subscription contracts. This article explores the new rules relating to subscription contracts set to take effect in 2026.

19 April 2024

Pricing algorithms and competition law in the UK and beyond

In the emerging digital age, companies are increasingly using and developing pricing algorithms to help them determine prices on a near real-time basis. In this article, the Regulation and Markets team considers how the use of these algorithms can impact competition, with a particular focus on the hotel online booking sector.

28 November 2023

Subsidy Control Act 2022 – potential impacts of the first challenge

A look back at the first decision of the Competition Appeal Tribunal under the Subsidy Control Act 2022, with eyes forward to its impacts and potential appeal.

11 April 2023

CMA signals more flexibility for sustainability agreements – Further thoughts

Contributor: Gordon Downie

Building on our previous article on the subject, we set out some further reflections on some points the CMA might want to consider in making its proposed draft guidance on sustainability agreements more useable.

10 March 2023

CMA signals more flexibility for sustainability agreements – Back to the Future?

Contributor: Gordon Downie

In this article we reflect on the Competition and Markets Authority's new draft guidance on sustainability agreements, and what this means for industry looking to collaborate to secure environmental benefit without breaching competition law.

19 January 2023

Sustainability and the CMA

Contributor: Joanna Rae

Sustainability has been a prominent topic within competition and consumer law in recent years. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been at the forefront of promoting and supporting sustainability when developing policy and in the course of its work and projects.

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