Expert legal advice from The Competition Lawyers

Category: Incentives

Booking hotels online: CMA continues to monitor practices and behaviour

First published by Author on September 03, 2020 in the following categories: Advertising Incentives Industry Pricing Selling Restrictions Travel and Holidays and tagged with | | | | | |

consumers stung by bogus holiday deals

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) continues to monitor pricing practices and behaviours for booking hotels online.

Since the completion of their investigations in 2015 into the sector, they have been actively engaged in monitoring developments. As an important sector to keep track of, their work – and that of their European competition counterparts – is clearly important.

Here is some information about the CMA’s latest publication of their work in this sector, and a brief background of the preceding events.

read more


Latest in the statutory audit market study

First published by Author on March 14, 2019 in the following categories: Incentives Industry Investigations Latest and tagged with | |

The statutory audit market study was launched in October 2018, and we’re set to know more about the outcomes toward the end of this year.

This is a key market sector where the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) has raised a number of concerns that they’re looking into. Despite previous improvements in the sector that appear to have strengthened competition, Deloitte, E&Y, KPMG and PwC reportedly remain the “go-to” auditors for the majority of large companies.

There’s also a concern as to whether there’s a lack of incentive to produce challenging reviews in terms of the performance of the companies as well.

read more


Crackdown after social media influencer investigation

First published by Author on February 08, 2019 in the following categories: Incentives Investigations Latest Selling Restrictions and tagged with | | | |

f1 investigation

A crackdown has been launched after a social media influencer investigation raised concerns that some product endorsements may be breaching vital competition law.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has reportedly written to a number of high-profile celebrities about their social media influencing habits. As a result of the warning letters, some social medial influencers have promised to clearly state if they’re being rewarded for endorsing products. Among those who have made the formal commitments are singers Rita Ora and Ellie Goulding.

We welcome this move and the cooperation of those involved so far.

read more


UK pharmaceutical companies paying millions of pounds to healthcare professionals

First published by Author on April 13, 2018 in the following categories: Incentives and tagged with | |

pharmaceutical companies pay millions of pounds to healthcare professionals

According to a report from The Times newspaper, UK pharmaceutical companies are reportedly paying millions of pounds to healthcare professionals and other organisations.

American pharmaceutical companies have previously come under fire for reportedly paying healthcare professionals to push their products, and it now appears the UK may have the same problem.

According to The Times, two of the biggest pharmaceutical players in the UK have been making “secret payments” of almost £20 million to reportedly “plug” their products.
read more