Navigating Parental Liability - Mastering Compliance in Competition Law

Introduction

Parent company liability is no longer a niche doctrine confined to cartel enforcement - it is a central risk issue for corporate groups, investors and boards. Competition authorities in the UK and EU are increasingly prepared to look beyond legal form and hold entire corporate groups accountable for infringements committed anywhere within the organisation. This can expose parent companies to significant fines based on group-wide turnover.

At the same time, recent case law, the continued expansion of private enforcement, and recent legislation such as the UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) are reshaping how liability is attributed and enforced in practice. While the core principles of parental liability remain rooted in the “undertaking” concept, there is a broader regulatory trend towards holding corporate groups accountable across multiple regimes.

This virtual classroom seminar provides a clear, practical guide to navigating these risks. Drawing on the latest UK and EU developments and real-world enforcement examples, it will equip you to identify where exposure arises, understand how liability is assessed in practice, and implement effective compliance strategies across corporate groups.

This session is designed for corporate governance and legal compliance professionals, as well as competition law specialists advising on group structures, transactions and investigations.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Explain how parental liability operates in practice under UK and EU competition law, including the “undertaking” concept and the presumption of decisive influence
• Identify where liability risks arise within corporate groups, including in relation to parent companies, subsidiaries, intermediate entities and financial investors
• Understand the impact of recent legal developments, including evolving EU case law, UK enforcement trends and the implications of the DMCCA
• Assess exposure in investigations and litigation, including the role of leniency, settlement, fine calculation and follow-on damages claims
• Recognise key risks in corporate transactions, including acquisitions, divestments and post-closing liability
• Apply practical, defensible compliance strategies to minimise risk across group structures and governance arrangements

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.