The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has updated the administrative timetable for its ongoing investigation into suspected anti-competitive behaviour in the television industry. The probe, launched on 11 October 2023, focuses on the purchase of freelance services and employment of staff supporting the production, creation, and broadcasting of non-sport television content in the UK. The CMA is investigating several major industry players, including the BBC and ITV, for potential breaches of the Competition Act 1998. This update suggests the investigation is progressing, though the CMA has not yet reached a conclusion or issued any statements of objection.

CASE HUB ARCHIVED—this archived case hub reflects the position at the date of the judgment of 17 January 2024; it is no longer maintained. See further, timeline and commentary. Case facts Outline Appeal against the single judgment dated 8 February 2023 of the CAT and High Court which upheld an appeal against notices issued by the CMA obliging BMW and VK (both foreign-domiciled companies with no UK presence) to respond to requests for information under s26 CA 1998 relating to an alleged cartel. Latest development On 17 January 2024, the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment in which it upheld the CMA’s appeal, ruling that the CMA has the power to require overseas companies to produce documents and information when it is investigating suspected anti-competitive conduct. Parties Appellant:• Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)Respondent:• Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft (VW)• Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW)VW AG and BMW AG are both incorporated in Germany and have no UK branch or office. However, they own and control indirect subsidiaries incorporated

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced the results of its latest compliance review into online consumer reviews, following a three-month adjustment period after issuing new guidance in April 2025. The review assessed whether over 100 businesses had implemented appropriate policies to prevent fake and misleading reviews. As a result, the CMA has contacted 54 businesses to raise concerns about non-compliance, urging them to update their practices. To support compliance, the regulator will hold a webinar on 4 September, marking a shift in its approach from support to enforcement.

Law360: A London appeals court has upheld more than £100m in fines against a group of pharmaceutical companies over an alleged price-fixing cartel, finding on 6 September 2024 that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had properly argued its case.

The Competition and Markets Authority's Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) has accepted a request from the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) to review its proposed Life Sciences Large Investment Portfolio scheme. The £570m scheme, running from October 2025 to March 2030, will provide grants up to £130m to UK-registered companies investing over £250m in life sciences manufacturing or R&D. The SAU will evaluate the scheme's compliance with subsidy control requirements, with its report due by 2 October 2025. Third parties can submit comments until 5 September 2025. The scheme aims to expand UK life sciences manufacturing and commercial R&D capabilities in medicines, medical diagnostics, and MedTech products.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has delivered a significant judgment in the long-running case involving the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Pfizer, and Flynn Pharma. In separate appeals against the CMA's 2022 decision, the CAT set aside that decision due to material errors identified in the grounds of appeal by Pfizer and Flynn. However, the CAT exercised its jurisdiction to remake the decision and upheld seven of the eight allegations of abuse of dominance previously found by the CMA.

The China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC) has announced that its Shanghai headquarters provided procedural services in China’s first ad hoc arbitration case concluded following the adoption of the revised arbitration law. The dispute involved two shipping companies registered in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone and arose from charges under an international cargo transportation agreement. The parties appointed a sole arbitrator and designated CMAC’s Shanghai headquarters as the service provider, responsible for coordinating the hearing venue, arranging stenography and managing the case file. The hearing was held on 19 December 2025 in Shanghai, at which the parties reached a mediated settlement, subsequently formalised in a temporary arbitration award. The respondent complied with the award on the day it was issued.

The China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC) has announced that its new panel of arbitrators came into effect on 1 May 2026 and will serve until 30 April 2031. The panel consists of 1,131 arbitrators from 51 countries and regions, including 167 arbitrators from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas jurisdictions, and 964 mainland Chinese arbitrators. CMAC states that the new panel expands expertise in areas including construction and offshore engineering, insurance and finance, securities and futures, energy development, the digital economy and artificial intelligence, in addition to maritime, transport and logistics. According to CMAC, practising lawyers, in-house counsel and university professors account for nearly 90% of the panel.

The China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC) has published its 'Report on Supply Chain Dispute Resolution Through the Lens of Typical Arbitration Cases' at the fourth China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing. The report draws on 12 concluded CMAC arbitration cases spanning procurement, cross-border warehousing, shipbuilding, marine insurance, freight forwarding and inland and ocean transport. It identifies legal risks including unilateral contract termination, improper liens, good faith guarantees, tariff adjustments and multimodal transport disputes. The report recommends that international supply chain dispute resolution mechanisms develop towards more proactive, integrated, digital and globalised approaches to support supply chain stability.

The China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC) has signed a framework agreement with the Beihai Maritime Court, establishing formal procedures for cooperation in maritime dispute resolution. This agreement allows the court to refer cases to CMAC's Greater Bay Area Arbitration Center for mediation and sets clear protocols for mediator selection, timeframes, and arbitration enforcement. In addition, the framework covers cooperation in preservation measures, business exchanges, and academic forums. Overall, the agreement aims to strengthen the connection between litigation and non-litigation methods for resolving maritime disputes in China's Greater Bay Area.

Law360, London: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its annual plan for 2026–2027 on 23 March, setting out its strategic priorities for the coming year.

Law360, London: On 28 October 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its updated leniency guidance, incorporating refinements to reflect more than a decade of the agency's cartel enforcement experience.