UK market investigations

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In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has the power to investigate markets to review how competition is working (or not) in a UK market or broader sector—even where there is no evidence of an infringement of UK competition law. In other words, these market reviews are not normally used by the CMA to deal with allegations that a company has breached competition law (though they may lead to possible breaches being uncovered) but rather to look at broader structural concerns.

This sub-topic contains detail on the processes for market studies and market investigations carried out by the CMA (and sectoral regulators).

Background and legal basis

The UK's market investigation powers originally formed part of monopoly reference provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973. These powers were retained even after the introduction of the Competition Act 1998 on the grounds that they permitted market-wide investigations by the then Competition Commission. However, these powers were ultimately subsumed within the Enterprise Act 2002 (EA 2002) with s131(1) (as amended by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013) providing the CMA the power

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Latest Competition News

UK Competition law—daily round-up (27/02/2026)

A round-up of UK competition law developments, including (1) Doug Gurr is confirmed as the new Chair of the CMA, and (2) the CMA publishes Growth and Investment Council Terms of Reference.

EU Competition law—daily round-up (27/02/2026)

A round-up of EU competition law developments, including (amongst other things) the latest EUMR developments.

Competition weekly highlights—26 February 2026

This week’s edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the CMA’s interim report in relation to its Getty Images/Shutterstock phase 2 investigation, (2) the government’s issuance of a pre-emptive action order following a PIIN in relation to DMGT/Telegraph Media Group, (3) the CMA’s response to DBT’s working paper on options for reform of non-compete clauses in employment contracts, (4) the EU/UK signing an agreement to co-operate closely on competition matters, (5) the Business Secretary announcing that Doug Gurr has been selected as preferred candidate to remain as Chair of the CMA, (6) the CAT’s judgment on a strike-out application and expert evidence in relation to a collective damages action brought by Ad Tech against Google, and (7) a CAT ruling refusing permission to appeal in a claim alleging competition law breaches by Faculty of Advocates Services. This week’s highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) publication by the Commission of a summary of consultation responses on the ongoing review of the FSR, (2) publication by the Commission of consultation responses received to the review of Regulation 1/2003, (3) the Commission launching a consultation on the draft new State aid General Block Exemption Regulation, (4) publication of the European Parliament’s resolution on the Commission’s 2024 Competition Policy report, and (5) the General Court’s judgment dismissing an action challenging the Commission’s refusal of access to DMA designation documents.

UK Competition law—daily round-up (26/02/2026)

A round-up of UK competition law developments, including the (1) the Court of Appeal’s judgment refusing permission to appeal against CAT certification of Hammond and Stephan collection actions against Amazon, and (2) CAT’s judgment regarding Subsidiary Control Act challenge against Gambling Commission’s £70m grant to Camelot.

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