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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 Sole traders, informal partnerships and outdated partnership deeds are common.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 The CMA has lengthened the window to assess undertakings in lieu of a reference, now running until 5 April 2024, relating to the anticipated purchase of Mick George Limited by Hanson Quarry Products Europe Limited—see the case page for further details. Note— For a full list of 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......
Mergers The Commission approved: the takeover of shared control of Groupe People and Baby SAS by Alcentra Limited and Mr....
Antitrust AG issues opinion proposing Court of Justice confirm the fine of €2.4m imposed on Google for favouring its own comparison shopping service Advocate General Kokott delivered her opinion in Case C- 48/22 P, Google and Alphabet v Commission ( Google Shopping), an appeal targeting the General Court’s judgment in Case T- 612/17, which partly upheld an action to annul the Commission's decision of 27 June 2017 in Google Search ( Shopping) ( AT.39740) in these proceedings. She recommended that the Court of Justice reject the appeal in its entirety and, thereby, ultimately maintain the €2.4bn fine imposed on Google......
In this issue: UK competition policy EU competition policy Lex Talk®Competition: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts Caselex New and updated content UK competition policy CAT publishes Practice Direction concerning disclosure and the management of confidential information The CAT has issued Practice Direction 1/2024 on handling confidential material during disclosure. It is designed to resolve difficulties arising because confidentiality rings have become increasingly complex and onerous to administer. Such arrangements often comprise ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ tiers, and material is at times shared with the ‘outer’ tier without the thorough assessment—required by Rule 101(4) of the CAT Rules—of the sensitivity of the information and the potential adverse effects of disclosure. The Direction clarifies that, going forward, the CAT will adopt as its starting point the prohibition in Rule 102, under which any party receiving information in CAT...
Digital markets CMA publishes report setting out how it intends to implement the new Digital Markets Regime The CMA has issued a report outlining how it plans to run the forthcoming Digital Markets Regime envisaged under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers ( DMCC) Bill. Prepared at the request of government ministers, the document explains the CMA’s intended approach to putting the new digital markets regime into practice. It sets out the purpose of the digital markets competition regime and clarifies the CMA’s role. The report describes the beneficial outcomes the authority aims to deliver, and the kinds of harms it intends to prevent or address through its new powers. It also covers the principal features of the regime, the ways in which the CMA will be held to account for its actions, and how it will execute its new functions. Together, these...
Antitrust The CMA has issued the non-confidential edition of its infringement ruling following its probe into Leicester City FC merchandise, addressing alleged anti-competitive behaviour connected to the sale of Leicester City FC‑branded goods in the UK—see further, non-confidential decision. Note— For details of all live behavioural cases before the CMA, see further, UK behavioural investigations—ongoing cases tracker. Competition policy The CAT has confirmed the appointment of seven new members to the CAT’s panel of Ordinary Members—see further, press release. Note— For a summary of ongoing competition law, guidance, and wider policy developments, see further, UK competition law—ongoing legislation and policy tracker. Upcoming dates For dates of forthcoming UK competition developments, see further, UK Competition calendar......
Mergers The Commission approved: the acquisition of sole control over Casino, Guichard- Perrachon S. A....
Mergers The Commission approved: the establishment of a joint venture between Volvo Business Services International AB and Renault SAS ( M.11051) following a phase I review—see further in Midday Express the securing of joint control over Inter Continental Energy Holdings Group Limited by Investor S. L. P.......
Digital markets The Parliamentary Under Secretaries of State at DBT and DSIT have sent a letter to the CMA, requesting details of its plans and indicative timelines for rolling out the new digital markets competition regime—see further, letter. NOTE— For all UK digital markets competition regime developments, see further, UK Digital Markets Competition regime—progress tracker Private actions The CAT has issued a ruling in Alex Neill Class Representative Limited v Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Limited; Sony Interactive Entertainment Network Europe Limited; and Sony Interactive Entertainment UK Limited. Sony has been granted permission to appeal the CAT’s judgment of 21 November 2023, which allowed the class representative’s application for a collective proceedings order and rejected Sony’s applications for summary judgment and to strike out parts of the claim. Permission to appeal is confined to certain litigation funding aspects—see further, ruling. NOTE— For...
Mergers The Commission was notified of Terna/ Mauro Migliazzi/ DXT/ Wesii ( M.11152) under the simplified merger procedure. Note— For active merger reviews before the Commission, see EU mergers—ongoing cases tracker. Antitrust A fresh appeal was filed with the Court of Justice in Case C- 2/24 P Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Cephalon v Commission, challenging the General Court’s ruling in Case T- 74/21 Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Cephalon v Commission, which dismissed the application to annul the Commission’s decision in Cephalon and Teva ( Modafinil) ( AT.39686). Note— For live antitrust appeals before the Court of Justice, see Court of Justice appeals—ongoing cases tracker. State aid Appeals have been lodged before the Court of Justice against General Court judgments that rejected actions to annul the Commission’s decision in State aid Case SA.21259— Regime III: Cases C- 803/23 P Bourbon Offshore Interoil Shipping v Commission and C- 806/23 P Renco Valore and...
Competition policy CAT issues Practice Direction on disclosure and the handling of confidential information The CAT has released Practice Direction 1/2024 concerning how confidential material is managed during disclosure. It seeks to tackle challenges emerging because confidentiality rings have grown increasingly elaborate and burdensome to administer. Such arrangements commonly feature ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ rings, and material is sometimes provided to the outer ring without the careful assessment—mandated by Rule 101(4) of the CAT Rules—of the particular sensitivity involved and the potential detriment that disclosure might cause. It aims to ensure consideration of sensitivity and adverse effects before disclosure to the outer ring......
Mergers A notice summarising the Commission’s 21 February 2022 decision in VIG/ Aegon CEE ( Case M.10494) has been issued, concluding that Hungary’s veto of Vienna Insurance Group AG Wiener Versicherung Gruppe’s acquisition of AEGON Group’s two Hungarian subsidiaries breached Article 21 EUMR—see further, decision NOTE— For current merger investigations before the Commission, see further, EU mergers—ongoing cases tracker State aid Under the EU State aid rules, the Commission has cleared a French scheme, valued at €450m, to support the forestry sector—see further, Midday Express NOTE— For all ongoing State aid decisions and live formal State aid investigations, see further, EU State aid decisions—ongoing cases tracker Upcoming dates For dates of forthcoming EU competition developments, see further, EU Competition calendar......
Mergers The Commission cleared: the set-up of a joint venture by CEVA Logistics and Fnac Darty ( M.11333) following a phase I investigation—see further, Midday Express the move to joint control of Jeumont Electric’s military activities by Framatome SAS and Naval Group SA, and Framatome SAS’s acquisition of sole control over Jeumont Electric’s remaining activities ( M.11262) after a phase I investigation—see further, Midday Express The Commission also received notification in Sumitomo/ Osaka Gas/ I Squared/ Think Gas/ AG& P City Gas ( M.11343) (simplified merger procedure) NOTE— For all live merger investigations before the Commission, see further, EU mergers—ongoing cases tracker Antitrust The General Court published orders in the following case: Case...
Mergers The Commission has been notified of the following: Oakley Capital/21 Invest Group/ PLG ( M.11398) – simplified merger procedure Five Arrows/ TA Associates/ Agilio ( M.11366) – simplified merger procedure VWFS/ PON Bike/ BMS ( M.11321) – normal merger procedure Gharage/ Dufry International/ Jet Central Core/ Duffle ( JV) ( M.11294) – simplified merger procedure NOTE— For all live merger investigations before the Commission, see further, EU mergers—ongoing cases tracker State aid The General Court issued orders dated 14 December 2023 in: Case T-185/22 Ryanair v Commission ( State aid SA.100121— Damages compensation to TAP III). The case is removed from the register—see further, order Case T-164/22 Ryanair v Commission ( State aid SA.63402— Compensation to TAP SA). The case is removed from the register—see further, order Case T-499/21 Ryanair v Commission ( State aid SA.62304— Covid-19: Damage...
Private actions The CAT issued four opt-out applications: Professor Carolyn Roberts v (1) United Utilities Water Limited (2) United Utilities Group PLC; v (1) Yorkshire Water Services Limited (2) Kelda Holdings Limited; v (1) Northumbrian Water Limited (2) Northumbrian Water Group Limited; and v (1) Anglian Water Services Limited (2) Anglian Water Group Limited. Roberts alleges sewerage undertakers abused a dominant position by providing misleading information to the Environment Agency and Ofwat about pollution incidents; see applications ( United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Northumbrian Water and Anglian Water). By order of 28 December 2023 in Richer Sounds Plc v Mastercard Incorporated and Others—an action alleging infringements of Article 101 TFEU and/or the Chapter I prohibition, stayed since July 2021—the CAT consented to withdrawal; see withdrawal of claim. By order of 22 December 2023 in PSA Automobiles SA & Others v Autoliv AB &...
R (on the application of British Gas Trading Ltd) v Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero [2023] EWHC 737 ( Admin) Key points The court underscored the need for stringent time limits in judicial review to safeguard the public interest in sound administration Whilst acknowledging the Administrative Court is ordinarily not the forum for resolving factual disputes, it observed that judicial review procedures are sufficiently adaptable to deal with such issues where necessary The court affirmed that, in commercial settings where decision-makers hold particular expertise, the Administrative Court will apply a light-touch standard of review Background In 2021, Bulb, an electricity and gas supplier with roughly 1.5 million customers, faced severe financial strain. On 24 November 2021, the High Court made an Energy Supply Company Administration Order and appointed Joint Energy Administrators ( JEAs). The JEAs commenced a sale process for Bulb’s business. All three...
News analysis Emerald Supplies Ltd v British Airways plc [2014] EWHC 3513 ( Ch), [2014] All ER ( D) 340 ( Oct) During proceedings about the defendant airline’s alleged participation in a cartel, the European Commission adopted a decision. A dispute arose over whether a redacted version of that decision should be made available to the parties for inspection and use in the case. The Chancery Division determined that a confidentiality ring between the parties ought to be established, permitting circulation of the decision among its members, together with a safeguard preventing the claimants from using it to launch any further proceedings. What is the background to this matter and the competing interests concerning disclosure of the Commission’s decision? The claim is brought by 565 claimants, following the European Commission’s air cargo cartel decision. In a press release dated 9 November 2010, the...
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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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