Antitrust / Competition

Baker McKenzie and the Financial Times co-created a podcast series, the FT Big Deal, to examine the trends behind complex cross-border transactions. In this four-part podcast series,...

On 19 December 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) jointly issued the Measures for Security Review...

The Fast Track Procedure (FTP) introduced in December 2016 by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) has been applied for the first time in a bid-rigging decision involving three water features maintenance businesses (CU Water Services, Crystalene Product (S) and Crystal Clear Contractor) ("Infringement Decision"). In exchange for admission of liability and cooperation with the CCCS in respect of their infringement of the prohibition against anti-competitive agreements under section 34 of the Competition Act (Cap. 50B), Crystalene Product (S) and Crystal Clear Contractor benefitted from a 10% reduction on their respective penalties under the FTP. This is in addition to discounts made available to them under the CCCS's leniency regime by virtue of their leniency applications.  

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) has issued an infringement decision ("Infringement Decision") against three businesses engaged in the provision of maintenance services for water features. CU Water Services , Crystalene Product (S) and Crystal Clear Contractor ("Parties") were directed to pay financial penalties totalling approximately S$420,000 for infringing section 34 of the Competition Act (Cap. 50B) and for participating in bid-rigging conduct relating to tenders called for the provision of maintenance services for pools, ponds, etc.

As negotiations between the European Union (EU) and UK enter their final stages, the outcome of Brexit rests on a knife's edge. The expiry of the transition period on 31 December 2020 (“Transition Period”) is fast approaching and, with that, the risk that the UK will leave with a so-called “Australia-style” relationship, that is to say, a trading relationship based on standard WTO rules.What is certain, regardless of the negotiations, is that companies will have to navigate a competition landscape that has the UK as a standalone regime in all respects — even if with a heavy EU influence. Dealing with both the EU and UK competition authorities on the same merger or behavioural investigation will be routine, adding costs and complexity.

The Act for Amendment of the Antimonopoly Act ("Amendment") was enacted on 19 June 2019, and was promulgated on the 26th of the same month.

The NSW Fair Trading enforcement grace period for new disclosure obligations added to the Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW) expires on 31 December 2020. The changes commenced on 1 July 2020 and imposed new disclosure obligations on affected businesses. The new disclosure obligations require:suppliers to disclose terms or conditions of contracts that substantially prejudice consumers. The disclosures must be made before the business supplies the goods or services;1 and intermediaries to disclose the financial incentives arrangements they have with suppliers. The disclosures must be made before the business acts under an arrangement where it may receive a commission or referral fee.2

The National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition ("OGYÉI") published new decisions on its webpage concerning pharmaceutical promotional activities and interactions with HCPs. The OGYÉI investigated the commercial practices of Aramis Pharma Kft., Lilly Hungária Kft. and Sager Pharma Kft. and imposed fines due to alleged infringements.

READ REPORT IN ENGLISHREAD REPORT IN SPANISHREAD REPORT IN MANDARIN The Year Ahead – our publication looking at key developments in global litigation and arbitration for...

From 1 January 2021, businesses must navigate a divergent UK-EU trade and competition regime for the first time in over forty years. The immediate...