Category: Investigations
The funerals market study
First published by Author on October 19, 2018 in the following categories: Industry Investigations Latest and tagged with cma | competition law | market study
The funerals market study is a currently being conducted by the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) in the UK.
The scope of the funerals market study is to find out more information about the market to ensure it’s working fairly and efficiently. The key areas being assessed by the CMA include customer behaviours, customer experiences and decision-making processes that have led to customer decisions.
The review was initiated in summer this year and remains ongoing.
Investment consultants market investigation updated
First published by Author on October 12, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma | competition law
The investment consultants market investigation currently underway by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been updated.
The CMA opened their investigation last year after the FCA referred matters over for a market investigation. The CMA has been looking into ‘the supply and acquisition of investment consultancy services and fiduciary management services to and by institutional investors and employers in the UK’.
This followed an interim report published by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) in 2016 where they proposed that the investment consultancy market be referred for a competition investigation.
Do you need competition law advice?
First published by Author on September 16, 2018 in the following categories: Compensation Claims Investigations and tagged with Compensation
If you need competition law advice if you think a breach has taken place and the breach has affected you, our Competition Lawyers can help.
Whether you’re an individual who feels you’re on the wrong end of a competition breach, a business owner whose supply chain needs investigating, or a whistle-blower at an organisation where a breaches are happening, we may be able to help you.
With fines from the UK’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), potentially running into the million of pounds, and compensation claims for victims of competition breaches, organisations cannot afford to breach the law; let alone the fact they ought to be acting with the best interests of the consumer in mind anyway.
Design, construction and fit-out competition case to continue
First published by Author on September 07, 2018 in the following categories: Industry Investigations Latest and tagged with competition law | construction industry | pricing
Watchdog investigations into the design, construction and fit-out competition issues is set to go on, according to a recent update published by the CMA.
The CMA – the Competition and Markets Authority – have been investigating the industry since July 2017 on the basis of suspected anti-competitive agreements that may be having an adverse effect on the market, and therefore the consumer.
A year on from the CMA’s investigations commencing, the CMA has taken the decision to extend the investigation with the view to publish a further update toward the end of the year.
Commitments in the Showmen’s Guild competition case
First published by Author on August 25, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma | market abuse
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) accepted commitments made after the Showmen’s Guild competition case, with a link to rules of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain 2018 published last month.
The case itself surrounded the use of rules issued by the Showmen’s Guild that reduced the ability of new attractions to join fairs, thus limiting competition. Potentially millions of funfair visitors could be affected by the issue, resulting in a stifling of competition and deprived access to new and improved rides and attractions with motivation for invocation in the sector potentially low.
With members of the Showmen’s Guild making up for some 90% of the sector in the UK, and worth an estimated £100m a year, any competition issue in the sector could clearly have a huge impact on the consumers.
Hotel booking sites watchdog investigation calls for changes
First published by Author on August 10, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations Pricing and tagged with advertising | cma
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the hotel booking sites watchdog, has called for changes in to the way rooms and ranked and displayed online.
According to the investigations initiated by the CMA , concerns are being raised about potentially false or misleading discounts, and false representations about room availability to pressure people into making booking decisions.
With the majority of people using online booking sites nowadays, any potential infringement of competition law must be closely scrutinised.
Venntro Media Group complaints leads to CMA warning
First published by Author on July 06, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with advertising | cma
Venntro Media Group complaints has led to a warning issued from the UK’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
According to the recent report, Venntro had the profiles of users of some of their online dating platforms appear on other website platforms, including websites containing explicit adult content. The CMA found that users’ information was being held on a central database, making their profiles visible on websites they hadn’t signed up to.
Venntro Media Group complaints were received by the CMA by people who were not happy that they had been signed-up to websites without realising or being properly informed; especially when some of those were adult websites.
Boots overcharging the NHS for pain-relief mouthwash
First published by Author on June 29, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations Price Hikes Pricing and tagged with cma | overpriced medication | pricing
Boots overcharging the NHS for pain relief mouthwash is a serious allegation that must be closely investigated.
The allegations are that the company behind high-street chain Boots, Walgreens Boots Alliance, are reportedly overcharging the NHS by almost 3,500% for pain-relieving mouthwash used by cancer patients.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) are considering the issue and health Minister, Steve Brine, is calling for an urgent investigation.
Musical instruments and equipment sector competition investigations
First published by Author on June 22, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations Pricing and tagged with cma | competition law
The musical instruments and equipment sector is in the midst of competition investigations over suspected anti-competitive agreements.
The UK’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), are investigating the sector in accordance with Chapter I CA98 and Article 101 TFEU.
This massively profitable market sector has boomed in recent years. Now, under the microscope of UK competition regulators, we will find out if there is anything that the consumers need to be concerned about when it comes to competition within the market.
Competition and Markets Authority study in to the heat networks market
First published by Author on June 01, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma
At the end of last year, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a study in to the heat networks market, which is the market that involves the generation and distribution of heat to buildings.
The study was launched to ensure that the market was working for the consumers, and since the launch of their investigations at the end of 2017, a number of action steps have taken place.
These kinds of studies are common for the CMA to engage in as they look at any sector in the UK to make sure there is healthy competition and ensure that the consumer is always being treated fairly. The CMA will usually talk to the businesses involved in the market and obtain data from consumers and public sector sources.