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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 Sole traders, informal partnerships and outdated partnership deeds are common.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
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Mergers AG advises Court of Justice to reject appeal against conditional Phase II clearance of the PKN/ Gupto Lotos merger Advocate General Medina has delivered his opinion in Case C-541/23 P, Polwax v Commission, an appeal against the General Court’s judgment in Case T-585/20 that upheld the Commission’s 14 July 2020 decision conditionally clearing the acquisition of PKN Orlen after a Phase II investigation ( M.9104). He recommends that the Court of Justice dismiss the first ground of appeal, which concerns the definition of the upstream market. Background On 14 July 2020, the Commission approved, subject to conditions, the proposed acquisition of Lotos by PKN Orlen (the Commission’s 2020 decision). Lotos and LKN Orlen were two large Polish integrated oil and gas companies. Following its Phase II review, the Commission concluded that the merger would harm competition, notably in the following areas: the...
State aid General Court dismisses actions as inadmissible against Commission’s decision approving extension of digital TV spectrum rights in the Czech Republic The General Court delivered its ruling in Joined Cases T-362/21, Telly v Commission, and T-363/21, Česká asociace satelitních operátorů v Commission, challenging the Commission’s conclusion that the digital terrestrial television ( DTT) licences held by České Radiokomunikace (ČRa), its wholly‑owned subsidiary Czech Digital Group ( CDG), Česká televize (ČT) and Digital Broadcasting ( DB) did not constitute State aid under Article 107(1) TFEU due to the absence of financing from State resources ( SA.55805). The Court declared the applications inadmissible Background On 15 March 2021, the Commission adopted a decision extending, in the Czech Republic, the frequency usage rights of certain network operators for the broadcasting of DTT licences until 31 December 2030. The operators concerned were ČRa, its...
Mergers The CMA has begun its phase 1 review and called for views on Aviva plc's anticipated takeover of Direct Line Insurance Group plc—see further, case page. NOTE— For all live mergers before the CMA, see further, UK mergers—ongoing cases tracker. Subsidy control The Subsidy Advice Unit has agreed to prepare advice for the Department for Business and Trade on its proposed Automotive Transformation Grants scheme—see further, case page. NOTE— For every matter referred to the Subsidy Advice Unit under the Subsidy Control Act 2022, see further, UK subsidy control—ongoing cases tracker. Private actions The CAT published an order dated 14 May 2025 in Utilita Energy Limited & Another v Pay Point plc & Others. The claim, brought under section 47A of the Competition Act 1998 by Utilita Energy Limited and Utilita Services Limited, alleged Pay Point abused a dominant position in supplying over the counter ( OTC)...
Mergers The Commission approved: the takeover for exclusive control of Covestro AG by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company P. J. S. C....
Antitrust CMA updates register and publishes warning and advisory letter maps sent to nation or region The CMA has unveiled maps showing where in the UK it sent 586 letters, both warning and advisory, on competition law concerns, covering the period from 2018 to 2024. When it has information that certain trading practices might be damaging competition, the CMA may, at times, issue advisory or warning letters to companies, while deciding not to launch a formal investigation on grounds of priority. It uses these letters to caution businesses that it is worried they could be breaching competition law and to encourage them to comply fully with......
State aid Commission amends State aid rules to provide public access to justice in environmental matters The Commission has confirmed the adoption of changes to the State aid Implementing Regulation 794/2004 and the State aid Best Practices Code ( BPC), introducing new access-to-justice provisions following the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee’s 2021 conclusion that the EU was not fulfilling its obligations by preventing the public from challenging State aid decisions alleged to breach EU environmental law. The EU and its Member States are parties to the Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters. Acknowledging the need to ensure compliance, the Commission recognised that updates to the existing State aid legal framework are required. It therefore launched a call for evidence and a targeted consultation during 2024, and in February 2025 it consulted on draft legal texts. These...
State aid The General Court has issued an order in Case T-17/23, Feport v Commission, which contested the Commission’s decision in State aid Case SA.33828—the Greek tonnage scheme and another State measure in favour of shipping companies. The court concluded there was no longer any need to adjudicate; see the order NOTE— For all live State aid decisions and live formal State aid investigations, see the EU State aid decisions—ongoing cases tracker. Upcoming dates— For dates of forthcoming EU competition developments, see the EU Competition calendar......
Subsidy control The Subsidy Advice Unit has issued its concluding report, setting out guidance to Highlands and Islands Enterprise on its planned subsidy for Kishorn Port Limited—see further, final report Note— For all decisions sent to the Subsidy Advice Unit under the Subsidy Control Act 2022, see the UK subsidy control—ongoing cases tracker Upcoming dates For timetables of forthcoming UK competition developments, see further, UK Competition calendar......
In this issue: Market studies Daily and weekly news alerts Caselex Market studies CMA launches consultation on working paper outlining potential remedies in veterinary services market investigation The CMA has released a working paper that sets out potential remedies linked to its market investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK. The intention of this paper is to gather feedback from veterinary businesses, veterinary professionals and other interested third parties on the anticipated impact of the remedies under consideration. Although the CMA has not yet formed an overall position on whether competition issues exist in the veterinary services market, nor on their precise nature, it has started to assess possible measures that could be implemented to address the potential concerns it is examining. Through this consultation, the CMA aims to understand how these options might affect market...
Competition Court of Justice delivers ruling on Belgian reference regarding Article 101 TFEU and the former vertical agreements block exemption in relation to an exclusive distribution arrangement The Court of Justice has handed down its decision in Case C-581/23 Beevers Kass, a reference from Belgium addressing the application of Article 101 TFEU and the earlier vertical agreements block exemption ( Regulation 330/2010). The issue was whether an exclusive distribution agreement accords with the parallel imposition requirement, which obliges a supplier to shield its exclusive distributor from active selling into the protected territory by all other distributors/buyers. Background Beevers Kass acts as the exclusive distributor in Belgium for Beemster cheese, sourced from the Dutch manufacturer Cono. Since 1993, Cono and Beevers have maintained an exclusive distribution agreement for Beemster cheese covering Belgium and Luxembourg. The Albert Heijn companies (notably, the Albert Heijn and Delhaize...
Antitrust Court of Appeal refuses permission to appeal against the CAT’s judgment upholding CMA’s decision finding excessive and unfair pricing over NHS thyroid drug prices; reinstates original fine imposed by CMA The Court of Appeal refused permission to appeal and, when handing down judgment in Cinven Capital Management ( V) General Partner Ltd & Ors v CMA, reinstated the CMA’s fine. The appeal concerned the CAT’s ruling of 8 August 2023, which had confirmed the CMA’s conclusion that the Chapter II prohibition of the Competition Act 1998 was infringed regarding the supply of liothyronine tablets, an essential medicine for treating thyroid hormone deficiency. CMA’s 2021 decision On 29 July 2021, the CMA delivered an infringement decision finding that Advanz Pharma abused a dominant position by levying excessive and unfair prices for liothyronine tablets. The authority imposed penalties totalling over £101.4m, including £40.9m on Advanz Pharma and £51.9m on...
Mergers The Commission approved: the purchase of shared control of Outlet Mall Group Holding S.à.r.l. ...
Mergers The CMA has invited comments regarding the proposed acquisition by Omnicom Group Inc. of The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc.—please see the case page for full details. NOTE— For all live mergers before the CMA, consult the UK mergers—ongoing cases tracker Upcoming dates For dates of forthcoming UK competition developments, see the UK Competition calendar......
Mergers The Commission approved: the takeover granting sole control of Mac Gregor Pte Ltd and Mac Gregor Sweden AB by Triton Fund 6 SCSp ( M.11823), following a Phase I inquiry—see further, the Midday Express the transaction conferring joint control of Bluebird Bio Inc on SK Capital Partners L. P. ......
Mergers The Commission has authorised: the acquisition of joint control over Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmb H & Co. KG and Huf Industrieverwaltung Gmb H by Huf Holding Gmb H & Co. KG and Sodecia Participações Sociais, S. G. P. S., S. A.......
Mergers The CMA released its recent decision indicating that undertakings in lieu of a phase 2 reference could be accepted concerning the proposed acquisition of Champion X Corporation by Schlumberger Limited......
Mergers The Commission approved the purchase of joint control over Galaxy UK Topco Limited by Hg Pooled Management Limited together with The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.......
Market studies CMA launches consultation on working paper outlining potential remedies in veterinary services market investigation The CMA has issued a working paper setting out possible remedies arising from its market investigation into veterinary services for household pets across the UK. The paper’s purpose is to consult with vet businesses, veterinary professionals and other interested third parties, inviting comment on the likely effects of the proposals. It asks stakeholders to share views on the anticipated impact of the remedies the CMA is considering through this consultation......
In this issue: UK antitrust UK merger control UK digital markets EU Digital Markets Act EU antitrust EU State aid Daily and weekly news alerts Caselex UK antitrust CMA launches consultation on proposed changes to the CMA’s published guidance on applications for leniency and no-action in cartel cases The CMA has opened a consultation on proposed revisions to its guidance for leniency and no-action applications in cartel cases. This guidance was first issued by the Office of Fair Trading in 2013 and adopted by the CMA in 2014 (the Current Guidance), together with the supporting quick guides. The Current Guidance sets out comprehensive direction on how the CMA’s leniency policy is applied. The consultation covers amendments to both the Current Guidance and the quick guides, which have now been retitled the Short Guides. The CMA’s leniency policy is...
The General Court has delivered its judgment in Case T–263/23 Symrise AG v Commission, an annulment action challenging the Commission’s February 2023 decision instructing an inspection of Symrise’s premises. The Commission suspected Symrise of involvement in anti-competitive practices in the fragrance industry, contrary to Article 101 TFEU. The General Court rejected the action in its entirety. Background Symrise AG operates in the manufacture and sale of fragrances and fragrance ingredients within the EEA and globally. In February 2023, the Commission adopted a decision under Article 20(4) of Regulation 1/2003 (the Contested Decision) requiring Symrise and its subsidiaries to submit to an unannounced inspection. That decision relied on information indicating that several fragrance manufacturers may have engaged in anti-competitive behaviour — including exchanging sensitive business information and co-ordinated conduct via the International Fragrance Association ( IFRA) — to distort competition in the supply of consumer...
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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 ]...
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