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About Competition Law

In competition, we know that detailing the law isn't enough. You need to be able to see things from a commercial perspective so you can protect the competitiveness of your or your clients' businesses.

Multi-jurisdictional merger control toolkit

Get maintained, up-to-date information on key jurisdictional and procedural issues for all merger control regimes around the world. Plus, Where to Notify, our calculator that carries out MJ merger assessments for you.

Multi-jurisdictional FDI toolkit

Regularly updated information on key jurisdictional and procedural issues for worldwide foreign direct investment (FDI) control regimes. Get summary grids, jurisdictional guides, and a news feed summarizing developments.

Merger decisions database

A database of published decisions. 30 filters like transaction type, industry and market definition, and substantive assessment. Plus decisions from key jurisdictions from 2007, and new jurisdictions constantly added.

Commercial perspective

In competition, we know that detailing the law isn't enough. You need to be able to see things from a commercial perspective so you can protect the competitiveness of your or your clients' businesses.

Our Top Sources

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Associated legal terms

Agreement

Agreement is broadly defined under EU and UK competition law so as to include activities ranging from a legally enforceable contract between two or more parties to an informal albeit clear understanding, whether entered into in writing or verbally.

CMA

means the Competition and Markets Authority, the UK national competition authority

Trade regulation

Trade regulation describes the body of law and regulatory measures governing how businesses buy, sell and supply goods and services, both domestically and in international trade. It is a broad, descriptive term rather than a single defined concept, and in UK and Irish practice typically encompasses competition law, consumer protection law, unfair commercial practices, sector‑specific regulatory regimes, and rules on imports, exports and customs.

Key legal instruments include the Competition Act 1998, Enterprise Act 2002, retained EU competition and consumer law in the UK, and the Competition Act 2002 and Consumer Protection Act 2007 in Ireland, together with EU internal market and trade rules (for Ireland) and the UK’s post‑Brexit trade arrangements. Competition authorities (CMA in the UK; CCPC in Ireland) and sector regulators play a central role.

In commercial practice, advising on trade regulation involves assessing distribution and supply agreements, pricing and exclusivity arrangements, merger control, market dominance issues, cross‑border sales restrictions, and compliance with consumer and advertising standards. Usage of the term is broadly consistent across England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, though specific statutory frameworks and retained EU law differ.
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