Daniel Tatton-Brown QC on Misuse of Confidential Information and Interim Remedies -Littleton Chambers

‘A rogue employee leaving their employer and taking with him confidential information such as a customer or pricing list can potentially cause significant damage to the ex-employer’s business.’

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Littleton Chambers, 12th July 2016

Source: www.littletonchambers.com

Bar Council response to CMA interim report – The Bar Council

Posted July 11th, 2016 in barristers, competition, legal services, news by sally

‘Responding to today’s [8 July] report on the market for legal services from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Bar Council agrees that wholesale reform of the regulatory framework may increase the cost of regulation and jeopardize valuable expertise.’

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The Bar Council, 8th July 2016

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Consumers “generally satisfied” with legal services providers, key survey finds – Legal Futures

Posted July 11th, 2016 in competition, legal services, news, statistics by sally

‘There are high levels of consumer satisfaction with legal services, according to a survey commissioned by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).’

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Legal Futures, 11th July 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Legal services: removing barriers to competition – official-documents.gov.uk

‘Consultation on proposals to make amendments to the Legal Services Act 2007.’

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official-documents.gov.uk, 7th July 2016

Source: www.official-documents.gov.uk

Consultation on further liberalisation of legal services market – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The government today unveiled plans for a second wave of reforms aimed at opening the legal services market to new businesses.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 7th July 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Government lays out plans to encourage more ABSs to enter market – Legal Futures

‘The government is today laying out plans to remove restrictions on alternative business structures (ABSs) on the basis that they have proven no more risky than traditional law firms.’

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Legal Futures, 7th July 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Who regulates? – Competition and regulation in the legal sector – Legal Futures

Posted July 7th, 2016 in competition, consumer protection, conveyancing, legal services, news by sally

‘Regulation is put into place because markets are not perfect. Legal services are infrequent purchases for most people, so the asymmetry of knowledge and power between provider and consumer is especially marked.’

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Legal Futures, 6th July 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ofcom faces High Court action by CityFibre over claims it protects BT from broadband competition – Daily Telegraph

Posted July 6th, 2016 in appeals, competition, internet, news, ombudsmen, telecommunications, tribunals by Mark L

‘Ofcom has been accused of making “ridiculous” policy decisions that will cement BT’s position in the broadband market as a “single, unassailable wholesale infrastructure provider” in a High Court challenge by alternative network builder CityFibre.’

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Daily Telegraph, 5th July 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

MasterCard faces £19bn lawsuit over claims it ripped off shoppers – The Independent

‘MasterCard is facing a claim of up to £19 billion in damages in a UK collective action over card charges that were passed on to shoppers.’

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The Independent, 6th July 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Digital influencers’ must disclose paid-for content, says new guidance – OUT-LAW.com

Posted July 4th, 2016 in competition, consumer protection, disclosure, internet, news by michael

‘Online publishers, bloggers, tweeters and other “digital influencers” must “clearly and prominently” label content they are paid to produce as paid-for promotions, new guidance developed by a body of regulators from around the world has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 1st July 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Now proportionality test bites in the Competition Appeal Tribunal – Litigation Futures

‘Proportionality has hit the Competition Appeal Tribunal as it capped a defendant’s recoverable costs at £350,000, compared to its budgeted costs of £637,000.’

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Litigation Futures, 24th June 2016

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

First opt-out collective action lodged with Competition Appeal Tribunal – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 27th, 2016 in appeals, class actions, competition, consumer protection, damages, news, tribunals by sally

‘The first opt-out collective action seeking damages for breaches of competition law has been lodged with the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), following changes to the law in October 2015.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 27th June 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

No contract protected against the risk of bid-rigging, says expert – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 22nd, 2016 in competition, contracts, news, public procurement by sally

‘Procurement professionals in all sectors need to be aware of the risk of bid-rigging of contracts they tender, a procurement law expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 21st June 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Mattress foam cartel claim not suitable for fast-track damages procedure, CAT rules – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 21st, 2016 in competition, damages, news, tribunals by sally

‘The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has refused an application by six English mattress makers to use its new fast-track procedure (FTP) to claim damages for anti-competitive behaviour, given the complexity of the underlying issues.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 20th June 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Economic complexity: CAT vs High Court – Competition Bulletin from Blackstone Chambers

‘One of the advantages of the Competition Appeal Tribunal is said to be the fact that its three-member panel typically includes an economist. But is that really such a big advantage over the High Court?’

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Competition Bulletin from Blackstone Chambers, 9th June 2016

Source: www.competitionbulletin.com

Government rules that shoppers have the right to buy items online – as it shames major golf club brand – Daily Telegraph

‘Shoppers cannot legally be denied the right to buy goods online, the Government has ruled, as its consumer arm declared a major golfing retailers’ ban on shops selling its products online as unlawful.’

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Daily Telegraph, 9th June 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

New fining powers for UK competition authorities proposed as part of regime reform – OUT-LAW.com

Posted June 3rd, 2016 in competition, fines, news by sally

‘The UK’s competition watchdog could be given new powers to fine businesses that breach the formal commitments or undertakings they give to bring a competition investigation to a close under plans put forward by the government.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 2nd June 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

HELP! ONE CAN’T BREATHE FOR THE NON-COMPETE CLAUSE… – Littleton Chambers

Posted June 2nd, 2016 in competition, contract of employment, news, small businesses by sally

‘Carol Davis comments on the BIS plans to call for evidence on potentially stifling employment rules and considers a world without non-compete clauses.’

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Littleton Chambers, 23rd March 2016

Source: www.littletonchambers.com

Competition watchdog attacks UK cloud storage providers – The Guardian

Posted May 27th, 2016 in competition, consumer protection, contracts, internet, news by tracey

‘Cloud storage providers are treating customers unfairly and risk users losing access to their photos and other personal possessions, the competition regulator said. An investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority found providers offered contract terms and practices that could breach consumer law.’

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The Guardian, 27th May 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

State aid ruling will help inform future investment of public funds, say experts – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 25th, 2016 in appeals, competition, EC law, loans, local government, news, sport, state aids by sally

‘A recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in London will help public bodies invest public funds into business ventures without breaching state aid rules.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 23rd May 2016

Source: www.out-law.com