The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union put European competition policy in a somewhat awkward state. The schism left EU and UK competition law as geographical neighbours and almost identical twins in both legal form and substance, yet worlds apart in terms of their ability to coordinate. Prior to Brexit, and as the competition authority…
Introduction The rise of electric passenger cars has reshaped global markets, driven by decarbonization policies, growing consumer awareness, and innovative marketing strategies. Türkiye is no exception, with the sector developing rapidly. A significant step in this evolution is the Turkish Competition Authority’s (“TCA”) decision dated December 21, 2023. This decision granted an individual exemption for…
The Draghi Report proposes substantial reform in the area of competition law, notably offering a critical assessment of recent policies implemented by the European Commission in merger control and antitrust enforcement. The Report will serve as a potential blueprint for Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, the Competition Commissioner-Designate and the European Commission to shape and execute competition…
Introduction Cartel damages proceedings are a highly interdisciplinary endeavour between lawyers and economists in many jurisdictions, including Germany. Lawyers and courts in such proceedings must, among other things, answer a fundamentally economic question—namely, what would have been the price in a market absent the infringement? In addition, the European Damages Directive of 2014 has set…
In Brief The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) continue to be vigilant and seek significant penalties for alleged “greenwashing” (misleading environmental or sustainability claims). The ACCC has been vocal that greenwashing is an enforcement priority for some time and, in December 2023, issued guidance for businesses in…
In Brief On 10 October 2024, the Australian Government introduced a bill into Parliament for Australia to enact a mandatory and suspensory competition merger clearance regime. The regime will commence on 1 January 2026, although parties can voluntarily seek clearance under the new regime from 1 July 2025. The thresholds for mandatory merger clearance[1] are…
Executive Vice President Vestager’s momentous tenure as Commissioner responsible for EU competition policy is nearing its end. EVP Vestager will leave her successor with a full agenda, including the first full-scale revamp of the Commission’s basic antitrust procedural rules in over 20 years, finalizing the controversial guidelines on exclusionary abuses under Article 102 TFEU and…
Introduction There have been some exciting developments in Turkish competition law recently, not least of which was the Turkish Competition Board’s (“Board”) first-ever judgment on non-compliance with commitments. To recap, the Board approved the merger between Luxottica Group S.p.A. and Essilor International S.A. back in 2018, subject to behavioural and structural commitments. To review the…
Background On 24 May 2024, royal assent was granted to the UK Parliament’s Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act (“DMCC”) (available here), a year after the Bill was first introduced to Parliament. The DMCC brings the most significant reforms to UK competition and consumer law in two decades, enhancing the existing powers of the Competition…
Introduction The Civil Chamber of the Spanish Supreme Court has already issued forty judgments ruling on appeals against judgments of the Courts of Appeal on claims for damages caused by the truck cartel. The Courts of Appeal have now handed down 4315 rulings on compensation for more than 25,000 cartelized trucks, 95% of them (partially)…
