This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes a number of UK developments, namely: (1) the CMA issuing its final report in relation to its remittal of the Spreadex/Sporting Index merger (2) the ORR publishing updated guidance on the enforcement of the CA 1998 in the railway sector.

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.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the CMA’s decision to consult on proposed changes to its jurisdiction and procedure guidance and the mergers notice template, (2) the CMA’s decision to conditionally clear the GXO/Wincanton merger, (2) publication by the CMA of guidance documents for businesses relating to merger control, (3) the CMA’s decision to launch a market study relating to civil engineering for roads and railways, (4) the CMA’s proposal to designate Google with SMS under the DMCCA 2024, and (5) publication by the UK government of a policy paper in support of its Modern Industrial Strategy. This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) an AG opinion proposing to uphold the General Court’s €4.12bn fine on Google for Android-related abuse of dominance, (2) the Commission’s decision to refer the Mars/Kellanova merger for a phase II investigation, (3) the Commission’s decision to unconditionally clear the Liberty Media/Dorna Sports merger after a phase II investigation, (4) the General Court’s judgment dismissing Ryanair’s action against the Commission’s approval of Germany’s COVID-19 aid to Condor, (5) the General Court’s judgment dismissing a remitted case from the Court of Justice regarding the Commission’s refusal to investigate tax measures for public casino operators in Germany, and (6) the Commission’s announcement that it has adopted a new State aid framework supporting the Clean Industrial Deal.

This week’s edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the CAT’s judgment refusing Amazon’s strike-out application in ACSO collective proceedings, (2) the CAT’s judgment dismissing Spreadex’s challenge to CMA’s remittal decision on counterfactual in sports spread betting merger, (3) the CMA publishes final report on market investigation into veterinary services for household pets, (4) the CMA launches market study into the retail supply of heating oil for domestic use in the UK, (5) the FCA launches market study into later life mortgages, (6) the UK government announces measures to address price pressures and strengthen CMA enforcement powers, and (7) the CMA publishes its Annual Plan for 2026/2027. This week’s highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Court of Justice dismisses appeals by German energy utility companies regarding Commission’s decision to approve the acquisition by E.ON of the distribution and retail energy business as well as certain general assets of Innogy, (2) the General Court awards damages for Commission’s failure to pay interest following annulment of Airfreight cartel decision, (3) AG proposes that the Court of Justice should dismiss appeal on calculation of fine cap for co-operative undertaking, and (4) the Court of Justice issues judgment in national reference from Latvia on whether a natural person shareholder may constitute an ‘enterprise’ linking undertakings under the GBER State aid rules.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective the CMA’s decision to launch a consultation on its proposed recommendations relating to the Public Transport Ticket Schemes Block Exemption. This week’s highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) a Court of Justice judgment involving a national reference from the Netherlands proposing that parity clauses are not ancillary restrictions for the purposes of EU competition law, (2) an AG opinion affirming German sawmills right to consolidate antitrust claims, (3) the Commission’s decision to conditionally clear its first in-depth merger investigation under the FSR, and (4) a Court of Justice judgment setting aside the General Court’s judgment and annulling the Commission’s decision regarding tax breaks granted by the UK to certain multinational groups between 2013 and 2018.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the CMA issues final report conditionally clearing Vandemoortele/Délifrance merger after phase 2; accepts divestment remedy. This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Commission published an economic study on the dynamic effects of mergers to inform its review of the EU Merger Guidelines, (2) the Commission issued its statement of objections in relation to its phase II investigation into the proposed JV between UPM and Sappi, and (3) the Commission closes antitrust investigation into Pratt & Whitney following contractual amendments.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the CMA’s decision to fine to four banks for information exchange regarding UK government bonds, (2) a High Court judgment ruling that the Thames Water’s restructuring plan does not breach competition law, and (3) a CAT judgment dismissing Stellantis’ damages claim against car safety equipment cartels. This week’s highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Court of Justice’s judgment confirming a dominant firm's refusal to enable interoperability with a third-party app can breach Article 102 TFEU.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the CAT’s judgment holding the NHS’ not time-barred regarding damages claim against drug manufactures involved in citalopram ‘pay for delay’ cartel. This week’s highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Commission’s decision to issue an SO to Microsoft over potentially abusive tying practices regarding Teams, (2) the Commission’s decision to close its antitrust investigation into Apple’s rules for its iPayment and anti-steering rules (3) the Commission’s decision to fine IFF €15.9m for deleting WhatsApp messages during a dawn raid, (4) an AG opinion recommending that competition authorities should not need prior approval to seize emails in announced inspections, (5) the Commission’s decision to send preliminary findings to Apple and open and an additional non-compliance investigation against Apple under the Digital Markets Act, and (6) the General Court’s judgment 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 issues fines sports broadcast production companies £4m concerning collusion on rates of pay for freelancers, and (2) the CMA closes investigation into labour practices in non-sports TV production and broadcasting. This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the General Court largely dismisses actions against the Commission’s decision concerning cartel in the European Government’s Bond sector, and (2) the Commission’s decision that an arbitration award ordering Spain to pay compensation to Antin constitutes as unlawful State aid.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) publication of the CMA’s Strategy for 2026–2029, and (2) the CAT publishing a PD setting out requirements for formatting and page lengths regarding skeleton arguments and other documents filed with the CAT. This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Commission issuing a SO in its phase II investigation into UMG/Downtown, (2) the Commission authorising the signing of the EU-UK Competition Cooperation Agreement, and (3) a Court of Justice judgment clarifying when compensation for free lock operations may constitute State aid and, if so, whether it should be classified as existing or new aid.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes, from a UK perspective: (1) the CAT's judgment refusing to grant a CPO in a UK music royalties action. This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Commission launches call for evidence on its ongoing Digital Markets Act review and publishes new AI questionnaire, (2) the Commission publishes 2024–2029 timeline for competition policy reviews and reforms, and (3) the Commission launches call for evidence on revision of rescue and restructuring State aid guidelines.

This week's edition of Competition weekly highlights includes developments from a UK perspective, including: (1) amendments to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill were tabled introducing a new regime regarding the acquisition of newspapers by a foreign state, (2) the CMA’s announcement that it is consulting on proposed updates to its rules of procedure for merger, market and special reference groups (CMA17), (3) Vodafone/CK Hutchison JV meeting the test for reference to phase 2, and (4) T&L Sugars/Tereos being referred to phase 2. This week's highlights also includes, from an EU perspective: (1) the Commission’s announcement that it has launched a non-compliance investigation against Alphabet, Apple and Meta under the Digital Markets Act, (2) the Commission’s announcement that it has opened a formal investigation against Zoetis regarding potential breach of Article 102 TFEU over novel pain drug for dogs, (3) the AG’s opinion proposing the Court of Justice set aside the General Court’s judgment and annul the Commission decisions regarding Illumina/Grail referral request, (4) the Commission’s announcement that it has issued a statement of objections in its phase II investigation into the acquisition of ITA Airways, and (5) the AG’s General proposing the General Court was correct to find appellant was not an ‘interested party’ in French State aid complaint.