Competition Law
We advise on UK and EU competition law as it relates to
a) anti competitive agreements
b) the abuse of dominant market positions and
c) mergers and acquisitions.
Competition law in the UK now largely mirrors that in Europe. There are two prohibitions, one against anti-competitive agreements and one against the abuse by people who hold dominant market positions of those positions.
The most well publicised form of anti-competitive agreement is a price fixing cartel although the range of agreements or arrangements potentially covered is much wider than that.
If someone occupies a dominant position in a market then they are under a duty not to abuse that position. The most obvious examples of abusive behaviour are predatory pricing (pricing at a loss in order to drive competitors from the market) and refusal to supply.
Competition laws are backed up by serious sanctions (fines of up to 10% of worldwide turnover and/or prison for directors) and the Office of Fair Trading has serious powers to investigate and search.
Chambers 2008 commented:
Foot Anstey’s ‘impressive’ solicitor Rachel Robinson leads a West Country-focused competition practice.
