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:

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a company involved in wrongdoing blowing the whistle
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an individual involved in wrongdoing blowing the whistle
•
a complaint from a third party, or
•
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

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Latest Competition News

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.

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