Competition law infringement

Competition law protects businesses and consumers from anticompetitive behaviour which might otherwise restrict competition. Competition law is often misunderstood or overlooked but should be considered an integral part of any business.

Business are required by law to take steps to ensure compliance and there are serious consequences for businesses and individuals (particularly directors) who fail to comply.

Businesses can be fined up to 10% of group world wide turnover and individuals can face fines or even imprisonment. Agreements may also be rendered enforceable and businesses may face third party damages claims.

The Competition and Markets Authority is responsible for enforcing competition law

The Competition and Markets Authority is responsible for enforcing competition law and has very wide powers of investigation including the power to carry out dawn raids to search premises.

Aside from the penalties for infringement, an investigation will inevitably cause interruption to a business and adverse publicity.

Our team can help you to achieve compliance by identifying and assessing risks associated with competition law and through offering, advice, assistance and training to ensure a culture of compliance throughout the business.

We offer training sessions to help raise awareness of competition law issues and to achieve compliance.

We can help act and advise upon a number of varying issue, including

anti-trust litigation
mergers and merger notifications
parallel imports
investigations and actions brought by The Competition and Markets Authority
leniency agreements and no action letters
advice in relation to the steps that should be taken in the event of a dawn raid.