UK antitrust investigations and appeals

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigates allegations of anti-competitive behaviour that have an impact in the UK (breaches of Chapter I and/or Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998). Investigations are carried out under the Competition Act 1998 (CA 1998).

Investigations can start in one of four ways:

1. •

   a company involved in wrongdoing blowing the whistle

2. •

   an individual involved in wrongdoing blowing the whistle

3. •

   a complaint from a third party, or

4. •

   the CMA receiving general market intelligence suggesting a breach of competition law.

If an investigation is launched, it will follow a set process. Investigations can take several years to complete.

If the CMA finds that competition law has been breached, it can impose severe penalties on undertakings, including large fines.

If a potential investigation involves a regulated sector where the sectoral regulator has concurrent competition powers, an investigation may be carried out by either the sectoral regulator or the CMA (see below).

For a review of the investigation process, see CMA behavioural investigation process. For a flowchart setting out the different stages of ...