Featured documents
R (Greyhound Board of Great Britain Ltd) v Welsh Ministers [2026] EWHC 670 (Admin) What are the practical implications of this case? The ruling reinforces the constitutional divide between the courts and the legislature. It explains that the scheme and framework of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (GWA 2006) embody that separation of powers, and that any judicial attempt to recognise and enforce a common law obligation on Welsh Ministers to consult prior to introducing legislation in the Senedd would trespass upon that boundary. This is not a departure from established principle; case law has already upheld comparable rules for lawmakers in Scotland and at Westminster. However, this is the first express confirmation of the position for Welsh lawmakers, and the first time this dimension of the GWA 2006 has been analysed in such depth. The court examined earlier
The solution arrived through the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), a quasi‑judicial body handling mass claims, created under UN Security Council Resolution 687. By addressing environmental harm—most notably via its ‘F4’ claim class—the UNCC set a seminal benchmark shaping how international law and contemporary arbitral panels allocate financial responsibility for wartime ecological devastation. With present-day wars in areas such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East bringing dam breaches, strikes on chemical facilities, and the burning of farmland, the UNCC’s legacy endures as an essential reference point for states, global investors, and companies engaged in post‑conflict arbitration. The F4 claims: Quantifying the unquantifiable Prior to the 1990s, mechanisms in international law for war reparations overwhelmingly favoured property loss, foregone earnings, and bodily injury. The natural world was commonly treated as a mute, non-compensable victim of armed hostilities...
Understanding the farming business as a business Many farms still use long-standing structures that arose by habit, not strategy. Sole traders, informal partnerships and outdated partnership deeds are common. While once effective, such setups can cause major issues around succession, tax planning and involving the next generation. A corporate team can take a fresh, business-led view of the farm, asking: Who owns the land and other critical assets? Who manages daily operations? Who carries the risk and who enjoys the return? What is the enduring plan for succession? From this review, the team can confirm whether the current setup is fit for purpose or if an alternative — for example an updated partnership agreement, a company, a limited liability partnership, or a blended model — would better meet the family’s aims. Tax efficiency through joined-up advice Tax sits at the centre of most
Most recent News
In this edition: UK mergers UK digital markets UK market studies UK competition policy EU antitrust EU mergers EU State aid Daily and weekly news alerts Caselex UK mergers CMA consults on proposed changes to its jurisdiction and procedure guidance and the mergers notice template The CMA has opened a consultation on suggested revisions to its mergers guidance on jurisdiction and procedure ( CMA2), and the merger notice template. The reforms sit within a wider programme aimed at enhancing the pace, predictability, proportionality and process (the 4Ps) of the UK merger control framework, to stimulate growth, attract investment, and bolster business confidence across the nation’s competition and consumer regimes......
Mergers The CMA has opened an invitation to comment on the planned purchase of Coverworld Holdings Limited by Kingspan Group Limited—see further, case page. The CMA has begun a phase 1 review into Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation’s proposed acquisition of Couplers Holdco AB—see further, case page. NOTE— For every active merger before the CMA, see further, UK mergers—ongoing cases tracker. Subsidy control The Subsidy Advice Unit has issued its concluding report advising UK Research and Innovation on its planned Automotive Innovation Grants scheme—see further, final report. NOTE— For all matters referred to the Subsidy Advice Unit under the Subsidy Control Act 2022, see further, UK subsidy control—ongoing cases tracker. Upcoming dates For timings of forthcoming UK competition developments, see further, UK Competition calendar......
Mergers Mars/ Kellanova referred to phase II The Commission has referred the planned acquisition of Kellanova (formerly the Kellogg Company) by Mars ( M.11753) to a phase II review. Mars supplies a broad array of well-known food brands worldwide, including chewing gum, chocolate confectionery, sugar confectionery, rice and pet food. In the EEA, Kellanova is chiefly recognised for its stack chips under the Pringles brand and for its ready-to-eat cereals sold under the Kellogg’s brands. During phase I, the Commission raised concerns that, by expanding its product offering with Kellanova’s highly popular brands, Mars could strengthen its bargaining power with retailers. As a consequence, Mars might use this additional leverage to, for example, obtain higher prices in negotiations, which could, in turn, result in higher prices for consumers across the EEA......
Digital markets CMA proposes to designate Google with SMS under DMCCA 2024 The CMA has initiated a consultation on its proposed decision to classify Google as holding strategic market status ( SMS) in relation to general search services, under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 ( DMCCA 2024)......
Mergers The Commission cleared joint control acquisition of Karafun Group SAS by Vendis Capital IV BV/ SRL and Verlinvest SA ( M.12024) after phase I investigation—see further, Midday Express. Commission received notifications: APMC/ BYC/ Berge Infraestructuras Y Servicios Logisticos ( M.11938) (simplified merger procedure) ICG/ Capiton/ DEC ( M.12027) (simplified merger procedure) Platinum Equity Group/ Solo Group ( M.12036) (simplified merger procedure) Commission published public version of its decision in A- Ware Dairy & Cream/ The Dairy Food Group ( M.11699)—see further, decision. Note— For live merger investigations before the Commission, see further, EU mergers—ongoing cases tracker. Upcoming dates For dates of forthcoming EU competition developments, see further, EU Competition calendar......
Mergers Commission unconditionally clears Liberty Media/ Dorna merger after phase II The Commission granted unconditional approval for Liberty Media Corporation ( Liberty Media) to acquire Dorna Sports S. L ( Dorna Sports) after a phase II probe ( M.11539). Liberty Media and Dorna Sports operate as global media firms. Liberty Media holds stakes across a wide spectrum of media, sports and entertainment ventures, including the Formula 1 motorcar competition......
Mergers CMA consults on proposed changes to its jurisdiction and procedure guidance and the mergers notice template The CMA has opened a consultation on proposed draft revisions to its mergers guidance on jurisdiction and procedure ( CMA2) and to the merger notice template. These updates form part of its measures to sharpen the pace, predictability, proportionality and process (4Ps) of the merger control regime, aiming to boost growth, attract investment, and strengthen business confidence in the UK’s competition and consumer regimes......
Mergers CMA conditionally clears GXO/ Wincanton merger; CMA accepts divestiture remedy involving Wincanton’s dedicated warehousing business The CMA has issued its final phase 2 report on the completed acquisition of Wincanton plc ( Wincanton) by GXO Logistics, Inc. ( GXO). GXO is the world’s largest contract logistics services provider, while Wincanton, based in the UK, operates in the same sector. Both companies deliver mainstream contract logistics services to business customers across retail markets—such as groceries, fashion and apparel—and non-retail segments including manufacturing and construction. The CMA found that the deal may give rise to an SLC in the provision of dedicated warehousing services to Grocery customers in the UK. It determined that the merger brings together two significant and closely competing suppliers of dedicated warehousing to grocery customers, and that the remaining competitive...
Antitrust AG proposes upholding of General Court’s €4.12bn fine on Google for Android-related abuse of dominance Advocate General Kokott has issued her opinion in Case C-738/22, Google and Alphabet v Commission, an appeal challenging the General Court’s 2022 ruling that largely confirmed the Commission’s 2018 finding that Google abused its dominant position in the Android operating system market. She recommends that the Court of Justice dismiss Google’s appeal in full, thereby maintaining the General Court’s 2022 judgment. Background On 18 July 2018, the Commission imposed a €4.34bn fine on Google for abusing its dominant position in the Android operating system market (the Commission’s 2018 decision). It concluded that, since at least 1 January 2011, Google had applied three categories of anti-competitive restrictions to mobile device manufacturers and network operators, including: Manufacturers could obtain a licence for Google’s Play Store only if they...
Mergers The Commission has been notified of Oakview/ Fortress/ SPP ( M.12009) under the simplified merger procedure The Commission has been notified of Varo Energy/ Preem ( M.11976) under the simplified merger procedure State aid Under EU State aid rules, the Commission has authorised a Polish measure worth €192m for the development of the Gaming and Technology Hub in Katowice—see further, Midday Express The Commission has confirmed that a Romanian recapitalisation of €250m for the majority state-owned Exim Banca Românească does not qualify as State aid within the meaning of EU State aid rules—see further, Midday Express NOTE— For all live State aid decisions and live formal State aid investigations, see further, EU State aid decisions—ongoing cases tracker Foreign Subsidies Regulation The Commission registered the notification regarding Door Dash/ Deliveroo ( FS.100226)...
In this issue: UK private actions UK competition policy EU antitrust EU competition policy EU State aid Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Caselex UK private actions High Court dismisses toy manufacturer’s damages claim but finds MGA abused dominant position and made unjustified patent threats The High Court handed down its ruling in Cabo Concepts Ltd & Licence World Ltd v MGA Entertainment ( UK) Ltd & MGA Entertainment, Inc [2025] EWHC 1451 ( Ch), a damages action brought by Cabo contending that a competing toy maker violated competition rules and issued baseless patent infringement threats to block the debut of a rival product. The court concluded MGA Entertainment had abused a dominant position and had made unwarranted patent infringement threats connected to Cabo ‘ Worldeez’ toy launch. It nevertheless threw out Cabo’s damages claim...
Mergers The Commission granted clearance for: Xerox Holdings Corporation to acquire sole control of Lexmark International II, LLC ( M.11879) following a phase I investigation—see further, Midday Express KKR & Co. Inc. and Stonepeak Partners LLP to obtain joint control of Assura plc ( M.11986) after a phase I investigation—see further, Midday Express Stonepeak and Repsol SA to take joint control of Pecos Renewables North America LLC ( M.12014) subsequent to a phase I investigation—see further, Midday Express The Commission also received notifications for: HIG Capital/ Kantar Media ( M.11901) (simplified merger procedure) First Reserve/ Fortress/ IES ( M.12048)...
Competition policy CMA updates its procedural complaints guidance The CMA has issued an update to its website guidance explaining how to escalate procedural matters to the Procedural Officer in CMA cases. First published in 2014, this guidance sets out the Officer’s remit, scope and the process for bringing procedural concerns and raising issues with the Procedural Officer in Competition Act 1998 investigations. The latest revision incorporates the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 ( DMCCA) and the functions of the Office for the Internal Market. Under the existing guidance, the Procedural Officer will determine disputes, for example in relation to the confidentiality of material the CMA proposes to publish in mergers and markets cases, where the parties have been unable to settle the point with the CMA’s senior responsible officer. Once the CMA has taken the relevant decision, parties have five working days to raise...
Competition policy Commission proposes simplification to speed up defence investments in the EU The Commission has tabled a package, set out in a Defence Readiness Omnibus ( Omnibus), to cut regulatory hurdles and accelerate defence investment, strengthening the EU’s ability to respond to security risks. The initiative seeks to enable Member States and industry to scale up capabilities and infrastructure to address evolving security threats......
Mergers The CMA opened its phase 1 investigation and issued an invitation to comment in relation to the anticipated acquisition by Omnicom Group Inc. of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc—see the case page. Note—for all live mergers before the CMA, see the UK mergers—ongoing cases tracker. Private actions High Court dismisses toy maker’s damages claim but finds MGA abused dominant position and issued unjustified patent threats The High Court delivered its judgment in Cabo Concepts Ltd & Licence World Ltd v MGA Entertainment ( UK) Ltd & MGA Entertainment, Inc [2025] EWHC 1451 ( Ch), an action for damages initiated by Cabo alleging that a rival toy maker breached competition law and advanced unjustified threats of patent infringement proceedings to stop the roll-out of a competing product. The court held that MGA Entertainment abused its dominant position and made unjustified patent threats in...
Mergers The Commission has authorised: Interparking S. A. to obtain sole control of Saba Infraestructuras, S. A. ( M.11818) following a phase I investigation—see more in Midday Express Portobello Capital Gestion, SGEIC, S. A.. and Solina France SASU to take joint control of Solions Ingredients, S. L. ( M.11954) after a phase I investigation—further details in Midday Express Clearlake Capital Group, L. P. to acquire sole control of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc......
Antitrust Commission publishes Revised Code of Best Practices for conduct of State aid control procedures The Commission has issued an updated Code of Best Practices governing State aid control processes. On 12 May 2025, it approved changes to State aid Implementing Regulation 794/2004 and to the State aid Best Practices Code, creating a fresh internal review route for specific State aid decisions. These steps respond to the 2021 conclusions of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee, which found the EU to be in breach of its duties by preventing members of the public from contesting State aid decisions purported to infringe EU environmental legislation......
Antitrust AG issues opinion concerning national reference from Portugal on interpretation of provisions in Damages Directive governing actions for damages under national law for infringements of competition law Advocate General Szpunar has delivered his opinion in Case C‑286/24, Meliá Hotels International, a national reference from Portugal that considers, amongst other points, whether national courts may evaluate the plausibility of a claim for damages, under Article 5(1) of Directive 2014/104/ EU, solely by reference to the existence of a decision issued by a competition authority... Background Article 5(1) of the Damages Directive provides that Member States must guarantee that, in proceedings concerning an action for damages in the EU, where a claimant files a reasoned request setting out reasonably available facts and evidence adequate to make its damages claim plausible, national courts may, subject to certain conditions, compel the defendant or a third party to disclose...
In this issue: UK mergers UK digital markets EU antitrust EU State aid Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Caselex UK mergers CMA issues interim report in the remittal of Spreadex/ Sporting Index merger; provisionally finds competition concerns The CMA has published its interim report, with possible remedies, following the remittal of its phase 2 inquiry into the completed purchase by Spreadex Limited ( Spreadex) of the B2C arm of Sporting Index Limited ( Sporting Index). Spreadex and Sporting Index both supply fixed odds betting and sports spread betting to UK customers. Spreadex also operates in financial spread betting and casino betting. The two businesses are the only licensed online providers of sports spread betting, and the CMA concluded that remaining competitive pressures from outside the market after the merger — including unlicensed sports spread betting firms,...
Mergers The CMA has issued the full text of its phase 1 clearance decision regarding the anticipated acquisition by Compagnie Des Levures Lesaffre of a majority shareholding in Biorigin S. A.—see the decision for more information. Note— For information on all live mergers before the CMA, consult the UK mergers—ongoing cases tracker. Upcoming dates For dates of forthcoming UK competition developments, please refer to the UK Competition calendar......
Popular documents
When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...
This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...
Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...
I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...
Discover more from LexisNexis
