This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the Court of Appeal refuses permission to appeal against CAT’s judgment upholding CMA’s decision finding excessive and unfair pricing over NHS thyroid drug prices and reinstates original fine imposed by CMA, and (2) the CMA publishes warning and advisory letter maps sent to nation or region. This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Court of Justice’s judgment concerning national reference from Belgium on the application of Article 101 TFEU and the old vertical agreements block exemption to an exclusive distribution agreement, (2) the Commission launches a consultation on its ongoing review of the EU merger guidelines, (3) the European Parliament adopts revised screening rules for foreign direct investment in the EU, (4) the General Court’s judgment dismissing actions as inadmissible against the Commission’s decision approving extension of digital TV spectrum rights in the Czech Republic, and (5) the Commission amends State aid rules to provide public access to justice in environmental matters.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the Department of Culture, Media & Sport publishes correspondence regarding Secretary of State's decision not to intervene on the anticipated acquisition of Telegraph Media Group by Penultimate Investments Holdings Limited, (2) a CAT judgment refusing to certify a CPO concerning an alleged salmon cartel, and (3) the Department of Trade & Business announces new streamlined routes under the Subsidy Control Act 2022. This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective, the Commission: (1) sends supplementary SO to Meta; indicates intention to impose interim measures in WhatsApp AI access case, (2) carrying out unannounced inspections in the chocolate confectionery sector, (3) appointing Anthony Whelan as the new Director-General of DG Competition and (4) consults Member States on proposal for a Temporary Crisis Framework.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the CMA launching its first ‘SMS investigation’ under the DMCCA 2024 into Google’s general search and search advertising, (2) the CAT’s judgment setting out its reasons for approving the terms of a settlement agreed with WWL/EUKOR and K-Line defendants in the maritime car carrier companies cartel, (3) the CMA consulting on its draft Annual Plan for 2025–2026 and publication of a report prepared by its Microeconomics Unit on wider benefits of competition policy and enforcement, and (4) the government publishing the terms of reference regarding the review of Northern Ireland Protocol (Windsor Framework). This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Commission’s sending a Statement of Objections to Lufthansa indicating its intention to impose interim measures to prevent harm to Frankfurt-New York air passengers, and (2) Advocate General’s Medinia’s opinion concerning a national reference from Belgium recommending that an exclusive distributor must be protected against active sales in its territory by all the supplier’s other buyers.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the CAT issues second ruling refusing application to amend collective proceedings claim against Apple following liability judgment, (2) the CAT issues judgment dismissing collective proceedings against musical instrument manufacturers following withdrawal of claims, (3) the Court of Justice issues judgment refusing Nexans permission to appeal CAT judgment in London Array cartel damages claim, (4) the CAT publishes guidance on appeals to higher courts and judicial review of CAT decisions, (5) the government publishes National Security and Investment Annual Report for 2025–2026, and (6) the CMA publishes final report on its heating oil market study This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Court of Justice issues judgment holding that DFB regulations on players' agents may fall within exception to Article 101(1) TFEU prohibition on cartels, (2) an AG opinion suggesting that the exchange of general pricing information between insurers may constitute a concerted practice depending on the market context, (3) the Commission accepts commitments from SAP in an abuse of dominance investigation into ERP maintenance and support services, (4) the Commission reports on application of EU competition rules in agricultural sector, (5) the Commission launches gun-jumping investigation into XXXLutz/Porta acquisition, (6) the Commission publishes first review of the FSR, concluding that it is fit for purpose and proposing targeted reforms, (7) the General Court dismisses actions against Commission decision finding Czech aid for large enterprises under orchard restructuring and drip irrigation schemes incompatible with the internal market, (8) the Court of Justice issues a judgment dismissing an appeal against the Commission's decision concerning German support for cogenerated electricity, (9) the Court of Justice issues judgment recommending that an Austrian VAT exemption constitutes State aid, (10) the Commission publishes State aid brief on implementation of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes developments from a UK perspective, including: (1) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport launching a consultation on the draft regulations relating to the foreign state ownership of newspaper provisions in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, (2) the CMA’s announcement that it has referred to phase 2 the AlphaTheta/Serato merger, (3) the CMA’s announcement that it has launched a Chapter II investigation against an eduction software firm, and (4) the Government conditionally approving the national security elements of Vodafone/CK Hutchison JV. This week’s highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Commission’s announcement that it has designated Booking as a gatekeeper and launched a market investigation into X and (2) the General Court’s judgments dismissing further appeals regarding Spanish aid for the acquisition of ships.

This week’s edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the CMA refers the Constellation Developments Limited/ABVR Holdings Limited merger to phase 2, (2) the CAT issues judgment on liability in power cables cartel follow-on action brought by London Array, (3) the CAT certifies opt-out collective proceedings against Motorola over alleged excessive pricing of Airwave Services, (4) a CAT ruling striking out a Scottish solicitor’s competition claim against the Faculty of Advocates, (5) the CMA publishes provisional decision in veterinary services for household pets market investigation finding that the market is not working well and proposes a package of major reforms, and (6) the CMA designates Google with SMS under DMCCA 2024. This week’s highlights also include, from an EU perspective: (1) the General Court’s judgment dismissing Red Bull’s action against the Commission’s decision to carry out dawn raids, (2) the Court of Justice judgment concerning a national reference from Romania on retroactive application of an EU Regulation corrected in a State aid dispute, (3) the Commission issues fines to Gucci, Chloé and Loewe of €157m for RPM, (4) the Commission publishes staff working document finding State aid rules on guarantees still relevant but can be updated, (5) the Commission extends the validity of rescue and restructuring State aid guidelines to end of 2026, (6) the Commission launches consultation on State aid rules for public service broadcasting, (7) the Commission publishes its fifth annual report on the screening of FDI in the EU, and (8) the Commission and EDPB gather feedback on draft guidelines on interplay between DMA and GDPR.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the Court of Appeal's judgment dismissing an appeal against a CAT ruling approving litigation funding arrangements regarding a damages action brought against Apple alleging abuse of dominance in the supply of Apple iPhones, (2) publication by Ofwat of its revised approach to water and wastewater mergers, (3) the CMA's decision to fine Keysight Technologies for failing to provide documents to the CMA during a phase 1 merger investigation, and (4) the CMA's decision to launch a call for inputs to inform its review of the Subsidy Control Act 2022.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the UK government’s decision to launch a consultation on further changes to the draft Enterprise Act 2002 (Mergers Involving Newspaper Enterprises and Foreign Powers) (No 2) Regulations, (2) publication by the UK government of (i) the Subsidy Control (Subsidies and Schemes of Interest or Particular Interest) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 and (ii) a direction disapplying the SCA 2022 to the Clean Energy Car Grant Scheme, (3) publication by the CMA’s of its Annual Report for 2024 to 2025, and (4) the Court of Appeal’s judgment dismissing Phones4U’s appeal regarding allegations of collusion against EE, Vodafone and O2. This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) an AG opinion concerning a national reference from Bulgaria in an essential facilities case involving LUKOIL Bulgaria, (2) the Commission’s decision to launch a consultation regarding revision of EU procedures for the application of EU antitrust enforcement framework, (3) the Commission’s decision to issue its first opinion on the compatibility of a sustainability agreement in the French wine sector with competition rules for agriculture, (4) the Commission’s decision to send Italy a preliminary assessment under Article 21 of the EUMR regarding conditions imposed on the acquisition of BPM by UniCredit, (5) the Commission’s decision to launch a consultation on review of the State aid General Block Exemption Regulation, and (6) publication by the Commission of an external report setting out the results of market study on competition in online payments sector in the EEA.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective, (1) the CMA’s decision to conditionally clear Lindab/HAS-Vent merger after phase 2 investigation. This week’s highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Commission’s announcement hat X’s online social networking service should not be designated under the Digital Markets Act.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes developments from a UK perspective, including: (1) the CMA’s decision to refer Spreadex/Sporting Index merger to phase 2, and the Court of Appeal’s judgment dismissing appeal regarding Cérélia/Jus-Rol merger case (2) the CMA publishes a technical update report regarding AI Foundation Models, a guide on submissions relating to the Green Agreements Guidance and an update of its record of warning and advisory letters about competition law issues for 2023, (3) the CAT dismissing Sport Direct’s application for interim injunction regarding Newcastle United replica kit, (4) the CAT dismissing Apple’s strike-out application based on jurisdiction in collective damages actions for alleged excessive pricing and (5) the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero calling for the CMA to review competition in the home heating market. This week’s highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the General Court dismissing an action against the Commission decision on Swedish ‘risk tax’ on large credit institutions, (2) the Commission’s announcement that it is consulting Member States on a limited prolongation of the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework to further support the agricultural sector, (3) the AG’s opinion recommending Court of Justice should set aside the General Court’s judgment and annul the Commission’s decision regarding tax breaks granted by the UK to certain multinational groups between 2013 and 2018, and (4) AG opinion suggesting JCDecaux appeal should be dismissed in Belgian State aid case.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the Court of Appeal refusing permission to appeal a High Court judgment dismissing a competition damages claim against MGA for lack of causation, (2) publication by the CMA of a case study regarding its investigation into 10 construction firms who breached competition by rigging bids for contracts, (3) publication by the CAT of its response to consultation on the conflict rule, and (4) publication by the CMA of its interim report regarding its market study into the civil engineering sector. This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Commission's decision to fine three automotive starter battery manufacturers and a trade association €72m for cartel conduct, (2) the High-Level Group on the Digital Markets Act endorsing a joint paper on the regulatory interplay related to AI issues, (3) publication by the Commission of an FSR Brief, (4) the Commission's decision to launch in-depth investigation into Nuctech Technology under the FSR, and (5) the Commission's decision to adopt a revised SGEI Decision extending a State aid exemption to affordable housing.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes a number of developments from a UK perspective, including: (1) the Court of Appeal ruling in favour of the CMA in its overseas information requests appeal and (2) the CMA publishing a report setting out its intent to implement the new Digital Markets Regime. This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) Advocate General Kokott’s opinion proposing that the Court of Justice confirm the fine of €2.4m imposed on Google for favouring its own comparison shopping service, (2) Advocate General Szpunar’s opinion concerning national reference from Spain proposing the service of legal documents in a damages action should not be served to Volvo’s Spanish subsidiary, (3) the Court of Justice dismissing Wizz Air’s appeal against Romanian aid granted to TAROM and (4) the Commission accepting commitments offered by Renfe regarding abuse of dominance in online rail ticketing in Spain.