Practical guide to competition damages claims in the UK

United Kingdom

This article was produced by Olswang LLP, which joined with CMS on 1 May 2017.

he UK's system for the enforcement of competition law through the courts (as an alternative or in addition to a complaint to a regulator) is set to be overhauled by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which entered into force today, on 1 October 2015. The reforms contained in the Act aim to make it easier for claimants to bring damages claims in the UK against parties which have been found to have infringed competition law, either at UK or EU level. Competition law claims can include damages claims against cartel members, businesses which have entered into anti-competitive agreements, or businesses which have abused a dominant market position.

Olswang’s Practical Guide to competition damages claims in the UK provides an overview of the main reforms introduced in the Consumer Rights Act 2015, including:

  • The jurisdiction and functions of the Competition Appeal Tribunal;
  • Voluntary redress schemes; and
  • Collective proceedings.