UK competition regulatory framework

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UK competition law regulates anti-competitive conduct, merger control and ensures markets are competitive.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is the principal UK regulator tasked to ensure that markets are competitive and deliver the best deal possible for consumers.

The CMA will investigate and take action against particular types of anti-competitive behaviour—for example, cartel activity and dominant companies trying to leverage their market power. It will also investigate merger cases and look at wider market investigations.

UK competition law

The competition law powers of the CMA and other UK competition regulators are:

  1. •

    to enforce the prohibition on anti-competitive agreements and the prohibition on abusing a dominant position

  2. •

    to bring criminal prosecutions against individuals responsible for implementing hardcore cartels (see The UK criminal cartel offence)

  3. •

    to seek director disqualification orders against any directors involved in competition law breaches (see Director disqualification)

  4. •

    to investigate mergers in the UK and block or seek remedies for those that result in a substantial lessening of competition,

  5. •

    launch investigations into any industries to ensure markets are competitive and seek remedies for those where there is an adverse

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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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