Competition Law & The Digital Markets, Competition & Consumer Act - Latest News

Introduction

On 25 April 2023, the UK Government published its long-awaited Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill and laid it before Parliament . The Act is expected to be passed in Spring 2024 and come into force in successive stages.

This flagship piece of legislation will introduce a new groundbreaking regime for the regulation of digital markets designed to curb the anti-competitive behaviour of “Big Tech” and provide fast and effective remedies to those aggrieved by digital platform’s offending conduct including private actions for damages In addition the Act continues the first competition law reforms since Brexit, In a radical set of measures the Government is seeking to update the UK competition law regime, improve effectiveness and speed up enforcement so as to maintain and improve public confidence in competition regulation.

Widespread reforms will see changes to the CMA market study and market inquiry regime, merger control thresholds and procedure and stronger Competition Act 1998 enforcement together with greater powers being invested in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• Brief background and rationale for the reforms
• Details of the new pro-competitive regime for the regulation of digital markets
• Reforms to CMA market study and inquiry regime
• Updating and broadening the UK merger control thresholds and procedures
• Stronger Competition Act enforcement including increasing penalties on companies and directors as well as new investigative powers
• Strengthening CMA powers to verify algorithms’ compliance with competition law
• Greater powers for the Competition Appeal Tribunal
• More effective international cooperation with other regulators such as DG Comp and the DoJ/FTC
• Likely timetable for implementation

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.