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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 Sole traders, informal partnerships and outdated partnership deeds are common.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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Foreign Subsidies Regulation Commission launches in-depth investigation into Goldwind under the FSR The Commission has opened a detailed probe pursuant to Regulation 2022/2560 on foreign subsidies that distort the internal market ( Foreign Subsidies Regulation ( FSR)), examining the operations of Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd ( Goldwind) in manufacturing and selling wind turbines, as well as delivering associated services within the EU. In effect since 12 October 2023, the FSR empowers the Commission to tackle distortions arising from foreign subsidies and, in doing so, enables the EU to uphold a level playing field for all businesses active in the internal market, whilst staying receptive to trade and investment. This initiative safeguards fair competition for firms across the EU......
Mergers The Commission has been notified of OP/ Yanfeng/ OP Target Companies/ Yanfeng Target Companies ( M.12323) under the simplified merger procedure. NOTE— For all ongoing merger enquiries 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 The CMA has opened an invitation to submit comments in relation to the planned joint venture between Suzano International B. V and Kimberly- Clark Corporation—see further the case page. NOTE— For all live mergers before the CMA, see further the UK mergers—ongoing cases tracker. Subsidy control The Subsidy Advice Unit has issued its final report offering advice to Innovate UK regarding its proposed UK SHORE subsidy scheme—see further the final report. NOTE— For all decisions referred under the Subsidy Advice Unit under the Subsidy Control Act 2022, see further the UK subsidy control—ongoing cases tracker. Upcoming dates For dates of upcoming UK competition developments, please see further the UK Competition calendar......
Mergers The Commission cleared: the takeover giving sole control of Teck Resources Limited by Anglo American plc ( M.12180), after a phase I investigation—see further, Midday Express the acquisition conferring joint control of Mobilise Limited of Jersey, holding company of the Totalmobile Group, on Five Arrows Managers LLP and Deutsche Beteiligungs AG ( M.12243), after a phase I investigation—see further, Midday Express the deal for joint control of Citrosuco S. A.......
Antitrust The CMA has widened the scope of its probe, extending it to cover further parties as part of its ongoing investigation into suspected breaches of the Chapter I prohibition arising from bid‑rigging connected to the supply of roofing and other construction services for schools—see further, case page. NOTE— For all behavioural investigations before the CMA, see further, UK behavioural investigations—ongoing cases tracker. Subsidy control The Subsidy Advice Unit has accepted a request to prepare a report offering advice to the Department for Business and Trade on its proposed subsidy to Post Office Limited—see further, case page. NOTE— For all decisions referred to the Subsidy Advice Unit under the Subsidy Control Act 2022, see further, UK subsidy control—ongoing cases tracker. Upcoming dates For dates of forthcoming UK competition developments, see further, UK Competition calendar......
In this issue: UK antitrust UK mergers UK private actions UK market studies EU Digital Markets Act Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Lex Talk®Competition: a Lexis®Nexis community Caselex UK antitrust CMA publishes guidance on competition law and collaboration between higher education providers The CMA has issued new online guidance on how higher education institutions can work together, setting out how competition law applies to co-operation across the sector. It recognised that collaboration is increasingly prevalent, and stressed that neither structured nor informal joint working automatically triggers competition law issues. The document mirrors the CMA’s growing attention to education in recent years—more generally, covering, for example, its probes into Education Software Solutions—and notes, in particular, a 2025 CMA blog saying that enforcement will not be a priority where...
Antitrust Court of Justice delivers ruling on a Portuguese reference interpreting the Damages Directive provisions for national actions concerning breaches of competition law The Court of Justice has ruled in Case C‑286/24, Meliá Hotels International, a reference from Portugal that, in particular, among other issues, asks whether a national court may assess the plausibility of a claim for damages under Article 5(1) of Directive 2014/104/ EU solely by relying on the existence of a decision adopted by a competition authority. This is a national reference. Background Article 5(1) of the Damages Directive stipulates that Member States must ensure that, in proceedings concerning an action for damages within the EU, upon the request of a claimant who has submitted a reasoned justification setting out reasonably available facts and evidence that are sufficient to support the plausibility of its damages claim, national courts are empowered to order the...
Digital Markets CMA launches consultation on conduct requirements relating to Google’s general search and search advertising services Following Google’s October 2025 designation as having strategic market status, the CMA has opened a consultation on conduct requirements ( CRs) for Google’s general search and search advertising services......
Mergers EC Investments a.s. received approval from the Commission to purchase exclusive control of FAST ČR, a.s....
Digital Markets Act Commission launches proceedings to support Google’s compliance with interoperability and data sharing obligations under the Digital Markets Act The Commission has opened two specification proceedings under the Digital Markets Act ( DMA) to help Google fulfil its duties as a named gatekeeper. This step formalises the Commission’s supervisory dialogue with Google on targeted compliance issues and comes after Google’s designation in September 2023, which mandated full DMA compliance by 7 March 2024. One proceeding addresses Google’s duty under Article 6(7) DMA to guarantee free, effective interoperability for third-party developers with hardware and software capabilities governed by the Android operating system. These proceedings support implementation of DMA obligations......
Market studies CMA publishes its response to reforms to the statutory consultee system The CMA has set out its reply to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s ( MHCLG) consultation on proposals to reshape the statutory consultation system within the planning regime. This consultation followed the CMA’s 2024 housebuilding market study, which highlighted that complexity and unpredictability in the planning process— including delays arising from statutory consultations— are key drivers of the under-delivery of new homes. In its response, the CMA voiced support for MHCLG’s plans to: Remove statutory consultee status from selected bodies; Cut the volume of statutory consultation and subsequent follow-up requests; Clarify the limits and scope of advice that consultees are able to provide; and Strengthen performance management across statutory consultees. These measures are welcomed as steps towards a more streamlined and predictable planning system that can better...
Private actions CAT grants CPO in PC games class action The CAT has delivered its judgment in Vicki Shotbolt Class Representative v Valve Corporation, a claim for damages issued by Vicki Shotbolt Class Representative ( PCR), under section 47B of the Competition Act 1998, against Valve Corporation ( Valve), asserting that Valve abused its dominant position, in breach of Article 101 TFEU (up to 31 December 2020) and the Chapter II prohibition of the Competition Act 1998. Background The claim revolves around Valve’s running of Steam, a prominent digital distribution platform for PC video games, via which titles are almost exclusively supplied in digital form......
Mergers The Commission cleared: Hartree Partners Holdings, LP’s acquisition of exclusive control of Touton S. A. ( M.12189), following a phase I investigation—see further in Midday Express the establishment of a joint venture by EVH Grüne Energie – Beteiligung Gmb H & Co. KG and HSBC Alternative Investments S. C. A. SICAV- RAIF ( M.12240), following a phase I investigation—see further in Midday Express the setting up of a joint venture by RCL Cruises Ltd.......
Mergers The Commission has received notifications for: EMK Capital Management Limited/ Project Informatica ( M.12242) (simplified merger procedure) Nippon Steel/ Sumitomo/ JV ( M.12304) (simplified merger procedure) In Case M.11992 MEF/ Retelit/ Telecom Italia Sparkle, the notification has been withdrawn for the second time—see further, case page. Note— For all 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......
Antitrust CMA publishes informal guidance on Landscape Enterprise Networks under Green Agreements Open- Door policy The CMA has released informal advice to 3Keel via the Green Agreements Guidance ‘open-door’ route, covering competition law questions linked to the Landscape Enterprise Networks ( LENs) 2.0 initiative in that guidance. The programme enables collaboration between companies seeking to finance environmental improvements and farmers or land stewards delivering regenerative agriculture and landscape resilience projects. The CMA also reviewed multiple elements of the LENs 2.0 framework. It concluded that the participation criteria appeared objective, proportionate and essential to the scheme’s effectiveness, while stressing that these requirements should be kept under regular review......
State aid The General Court conducted hearings in the following matters: Case T‑538/24 Ryanair Designated Activity Company v Commission, a challenge to the Commission’s decision in SA.109677— Italy— Covid‑19— Amendment of the competition scheme for airlines holding an EU operating licence issued by Italy—see further, application Case T‑268/21 RENV Ryanair v Commission, an action against the Commission’s decision in State aid Case SA.59029— Compensation scheme for airlines with an Italian operating licence—returned to the General Court after the Court of Justice’s judgment in Case C‑490/23 P—see further, application NOTE— For a complete view of all pending State aid appeals before the General Court, see further, General Court State aid appeals—ongoing cases tracker Upcoming dates For the schedule of forthcoming EU competition developments, see further, EU Competition calendar......
Mergers CMA issues interim report in Constellation Developments/ ABVR merger in phase 2 investigation; provisionally unconditionally clears the merger The CMA has released its interim report and interim notice on the completed purchase of ABVR Holdings Limited ( Aston Barclay) by Constellation Developments Limited ( Constellation). Constellation sits within a larger group involved in used‑vehicle remarketing and retail throughout the UK and Europe. It owns British Car Auctions Limited ( BCA), a business‑to‑business ( B2B) auctioneer of used vehicles, and We Buy Any Car Limited (trading as webuyanycar), a consumer car‑buying service. Aston Barclay likewise provides B2B used‑vehicle auction services in the UK and runs a car‑buying operation via The Car Buying Group. The CMA has provisionally concluded that the deal has not resulted, and is not expected to result, in an SLC in the provision of B2B used‑vehicle auction services in Great...
In this issue: UK mergers UK competition policy EU antitrust EU State aid Daily and weekly news alerts Lex Talk®Competition: a Lexis®Nexis community New and updated content Caselex UK mergers Government consider public interest intervention in DMGT’s acquisition of the Telegraph Media Group In a statement laid before Parliament, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, signalled she is minded to issue a public interest intervention notice ( PIIN) concerning Daily Mail and General Trust plc’s intended purchase of Telegraph Media Group Holdings Limited, publisher of the Telegraph and the Sunday Telegraph. She deems the deal likely to constitute a relevant merger situation. The Secretary of State has raised concerns that the takeover could further entrench DMGT’s already notable presence in the national daily and Sunday print newspaper sectors, as well as within...
Antitrust General Court dismisses action against Commission’s decision relating to the ethanol benchmarks cartel The General Court delivered its judgment in Case T‑93/24, Lantmännen and Lantmännen Biorefineries v Commission, which concerned a challenge to the Commission’s infringement decision of 7 December 2023 that imposed a fine on Lantmännen ek för ( Lantmännen) for its participation in a cartel affecting the wholesale price‑setting mechanism in the European ethanol market ( AT.40054). The General Court consequently rejected the appeal in its entirety. Background After surprise inspections conducted from 2013 to 2015, the Commission launched a formal probe in December 2015 into alleged collusion within the European biofuel ethanol sector. It examined whether a number of ethanol manufacturers — among them Spain’s Abengoa, Belgium’s Alcogroup, and Sweden’s Lantmännen — infringed Article 101 TFEU by coordinating to influence ethanol price benchmarks. The case then advanced via a mix of...
Competition policy CMA launches consultation on its Annual Plan for 2026–2027 The CMA has opened a consultation on its 2026/27 draft Annual Plan (draft Annual Plan), setting out how it plans to implement Strategy 2026–2030 during the forthcoming financial year. The draft Annual Plan is consistent with the CMA’s objectives, encompassing advancing competition and consumer protection, supporting economic growth, innovation and investment, nurturing a regulatory environment that bolsters business confidence, and prioritising UK interests......
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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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