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Antitrust, Competition & Trade

The CMS UK Antitrust, Competition and Trade team advises across the full range of UK and EU antitrust, competition and trade matters.

Based across London, Edinburgh and Brussels, we integrate seamlessly into the wider CMS Antitrust, Competition and Trade (ACT) group, one of the largest specialist competition and trade teams in the world. More than 225 CMS experts advise clients in more than 40 countries worldwide on all ACT matters. 

We advise businesses and their boards on all aspects of merger control, competition and regulatory investigations, market studies and compliance.  We also advise extensively in the related areas of Foreign Direct Investment controls, including the National Security and Investment Act, UK subsidy control, EU State aid, digital and sectoral regulation and public procurement.  We have renowned sectoral experience, including in technology, media and communications, life sciences and healthcare, consumer products/FMCG and retail, energy and infrastructure, automotive and real estate among other sectors. 

Our size and very wide footprint enable us to handle all ACT matters irrespective of geographic dimension. Where necessary we cooperate with long established contacts from our wider network of law firms across the world. 

We use the most up-to-date technical and AI tools to support our business. 

We run frequent webinars and events on UK / EU competition developments and a renowned annual EU competition law conference which has become a feature in the Brussels calendar.  We put out regular case law updates on UK, European and international competition and trade developments on our Law Now service.  And our international group is steered, not just by a management committee of partners but also by an active associates’ group that keeps us innovating to serve clients.

"I was hugely impressed by the quality of thought, commitment, passion and work ethic with which CMS navigated us through this challenging CMA process. Simply put, they were outstanding."

Martin Forbes, President of Cox Automotive International

Choose area

Abuse of dominance
Businesses with strong market positions are subject to increasing scrutiny of their pricing and distribution conduct. They may face unwanted regulator
Owl
Competition and Cartel Investigations
Companies need to be alive to the possibility of investigations and fines for anti-competitive behaviour. We defend our clients in cartel and other re
Compliance
We provide day to day advice in all competition law matters to help clients avoid any conflicts with competition laws. We advise clients on the set-up
computer chip on pcb
Digital markets
CMS is widely recognised as a leader in providing legal advice to clients from the digital and technology markets. We help companies avoid regulatory
Chinese lucky coins
Foreign Investment Screening / National Security and Investment Act 2021
We have extensive experience advising on the implications of foreign investment control rules on international transactions, which we consider routine
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Foreign subsidies control
The EU has extended its powers to review foreign subsidies above certain thresholds provided by non-EU governments to support national businesses in t
cargo ship on water
General EU law, free movement of goods, services and capital
We support clients with our highly specialised expertise in European regulatory law, and free movement of goods, services and capital through our expe
Horizontal agreements
The line between admissible conduct and infringement can be thin. We advise on the full range of horizontal cooperation or coordination between compan
Zips
Merger Control
We have a long and extensive track record of advising clients on merger control requirements and representing them in UK, EU and international merger
Private enforcement
We act for claimants and defendants in all competition-related private enforcement matters. Our extensive Competition Appeal Tribunal and High Court e
Public Procurement
We have a market leading public procurement practice, with over 170 procurement specialists in over 50 countries worldwide.  We advise on public
Sectoral regulation
Companies in regulated industries are under constant scrutiny over anti-competitive behaviour. With our in-depth sector specific competition law exper
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Subsidy control / EU state aid
A new UK subsidy control regime has been introduced following Brexit – The Subsidy Control Act 2022.  This was a requirement of the UK-EU T
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Trade Law and Sanctions
In an increasingly challenging international business world, our inter-disciplinary team helps companies to remain compliant and keep supply chains mo
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Vertical Agreements
We give clients confidence in their relationships with suppliers, resellers and customers, online and offline. We review and help shape their distribu
10/10/2023
Procurement Cube
Welcome to CMS’ interactive Procurement Cube where we will be exploring the new Procurement Act through the lens of a number of key sectors, each sector being one side of our cube: Defence, Energy & Utilities, In­fra­struc­ture, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Real Estate and TMT & Outsourcing. We will also be providing resources, links and up-to-date information on procurement reform in the UK. Please bookmark this page and look out for new, sector-specific insights and commentary from the CMS team.
25/04/2023
CMS’ interactive Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer law regulatory...
Welcome to CMS’ interactive Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer law regulatory hub. Here you will find all of the resources you need on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill and the UK’s regulatory landscape following the Government publication of its long-awaited Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill.
Law-Now: Competition
Visit Law-Now for legal know-how and commentary

Feed

12/03/2024
After EU Commission's first decision on Carbon Contracts for Difference,...
The European Commission approved the first Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfD) scheme under the new Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy 2022 (CEEAG).Fol­low­ing the...
19/02/2024
Financial Services Webinars On Demand
Use the below link to view recordings of CMS financial services we­binars avail­able on de­mand. We­binars are a convenient way to stay informed and hear from our legal ex­perts. me­di­um 
22/01/2024
State aid: The European Commission approves an Italian aid scheme for the...
On 15 January 2024, the European Commission approved a EUR 120 mil­lion Italian aid scheme for all airlines establishing new connections between one of the three airports in Calabria, namely Tito Minniti...
19/01/2024
CBAM: Just over a week to comply
As the deadline for the first Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) report approaches on January 31st, it is crucial for undertakings engaged in importing relevant goods into the European Union to...
17/01/2024
Reform of UK Furniture Fire Safety Regulations
The UK Government is currently reviewing responses to the recent consultation on the proposed regulatory framework for domestic furniture and furnishings, which is quite the change from the current fire...
14/12/2023
European Commission must launch a State aid investigation into the granting...
The European Commission (Commission) must launch a formal State aid investigation into the granting of Dutch lottery licences, following an appeal to the EU General Court by the European Gaming and Betting...
29/11/2023
Financial Services Webinars On Demand
Use the below link to view recordings of CMS financial services we­binars avail­able on demand. Webinars are a convenient way to stay informed and hear from our legal ex­perts.  me­di­um  
24/11/2023
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism transition in effect since 1 October...
On 1 October 2023, a two-year transitional period began for implementation of Regulation (EU) 2023/956, which introduces the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). CBAM levies punitive CO2 charges...
07/11/2023
CMA goes green with guidance supporting collaboration between businesses...
With ESG firmly on the corporate agenda, recent guidance from the CMA is intended to give businesses confidence to collaborate across industries and sectors to support sustainability objectives without...
04/10/2023
CMS advises HICL on £204m portfolio disposal
International law firm CMS has advised FTSE 250 and London-listed investment company HICL on the c. £204m disposal of five assets to John Laing, an international core infrastructure investor. HICL has...
02/10/2023
CMS advises Ocean Winds on Moray East Offshore Wind Farm partnership
International law firm CMS has advised Ocean Winds, a 50-50 joint venture between EDP Renewables and ENGIE, on the sale of a 16.6% stake in the 950 MW Moray East Offshore Wind Farm (“Moray East”)...
20/09/2023
CMS advises Finsbury Foods on sale to Frisbee Bidco
International law firm CMS is advising long-standing client, Finsbury Food Group (Finsbury), a leading manufacturer of bakery goods, on its proposed sale to Frisbee Bidco Limited (Bidco) for £143.4 million...