The UK’s Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) is taking significant steps to evolve its approach to merger control, introducing a new Mergers Charter and launching a review of its merger remedies framework. These initiatives mark a notable shift towards a more flexible and business-friendly regulatory environment, reflecting the government’s broader economic growth agenda. By streamlining…
Introduction In 2016, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) was introduced, fundamentally changing how distressed businesses in India are restructured and how debt recovery is managed. The IBC has paved the way for significant corporate restructurings, including the high-profile acquisition of Essar Steel by ArcelorMittal and the impending acquisition and revival of Videocon Industries by…
Introduction In 2024, the Netherlands Authority for Consumer & Markets (“ACM”) in the Netherlands made some steps in shaping the landscape of competition law and policy. The year was marked by a series of impactful initiatives and enforcement activities aimed at encouraging a sustainable economy, promoting a fair digital economy, and accelerating the energy transition….
Significant competition law developments emerged in Chile during 2024. While this summary does not provide a detailed description of how Chile’s competition enforcement system operates (for that, please refer to the previous series), it is important to recall that the Chilean system involves the intervention of three authorities: Fiscalía Nacional Económica (“FNE”): its main powers…
2024 marked the 10th year since the Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA or Agency) started operating as an independent competition enforcer. Created to satisfy an obligation under the 2014 EU-Georgia Association Agreement on maintaining “an authority responsible and appropriately equipped for the effective enforcement of the competition laws”[1] this enforcer has undergone significant transformation…
In recent years, one could have argued that merger control dominated Estonia’s competition enforcement landscape, with high-profile cases setting precedents. However, 2024 painted a different picture. Merger control did not generate the same level of excitement or controversy as in previous years. Instead, the year will likely be remembered for heated debates surrounding legislative proposals,…
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice’s (CJEU) recent decision in Android Auto marks a pivotal—and possibly final—chapter in the contentious evolution of the essential facility doctrine (EFD) [for a comprehensive analysis of the decision and its implications, see my working paper on “The EU essential facilities doctrine after Android Auto: a wild…
Introduction and Summary As we move forward from 2024, it is time to reflect on last year’s main developments within Swedish competition law. The Swedish Competition Authority (the “SCA”) has been busy with merger reviews, including a significant case before the Patent and Market Courts. Also, the SCA’s record fine for alleged resale price maintenance…
Below we cover the main competition law developments in Spain in 2024, concerning (i) institutions and legislation, (ii) antitrust, (iii) mergers and (iv) State aid. Institutions and Legislation Teresa Ribera Joins the European Commission as Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Competition On 27 November 2024, the European Parliament confirmed Teresa Ribera as the Executive…
With the much-debated reforms to Act 19/2003 of 4 July, on capital movements (“Act 19/2003”), the Spanish foreign direct investment (“FDI”) regime has been expanded over the past few years. However, FDI screening in relation to defense investments predates Act 19/2003 (and the recent FDI hype more broadly), and was regulated in Royal Decree 664/1999…
