Competition policy

Frontier is the UK's leading competition practice.

We cover all aspects of competition policy, at an EC and at a national authority level.

We work alongside clients and legal counsel.

We provide advice on case strategy and technical support.

We assist in preparing client submissions and by submitting expert reports.

Our advice is often central to determining the approach taken in presenting the competition issues to the authorities or the courts.

A selection of the cases we have advised on involving retailing includes:

• Soluble coffee (MMC, 1990-91).
• Carbonated soft drinks (MMC, 1990-91).
• National newspapers - wholesaler arrangements (OFT, 1997, 2002-03, 2005-06).
• Ladbroke/Coral merger (MMC, 1998).
• Cendant/RAC merger (MMC, 1998).
• Supermarkets (OFT and CC, 1998-2000, 2005-06).
• Interbrew/Bass merger (CC, 2000, and OFT, 2001).
• Community pharmacies - entry regulations (OFT, 2002-03).
• Replica football shirts (OFT, 2002).
• Extended warranties on domestic electrical goods (CC, 2002-03).
• Somerfield plc/Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc (UK Competition Commission, 2002-03.
• Asda/Morrisons/Sainsbury's/Tesco/Safeway mergers (CC, 2003).
• Newspapers in the London area - Associated Newspapers (OFT Ch I and II CA, 2003-06).
• Littlewoods/GUS home shopping business acquisition (CC, 2003).
• Salty snacks (OFT Ch II CA, 2003-06).
• Store cards (UK Competition Commission, 2004-2006).
• Supermarkets (Competition Commission 2006- ).
• Carbonated soft drinks - The Coca-Cola Company (Art 82, 1996-97, 1999-04).
• Pharmaceuticals in Spain - Glaxo's dual pricing (Art 85, 1998-2000).
• Carbonated soft drinks distribution in N. Ireland (breach of contract, 1991-92).
• Public house leasehold arrangements in the UK - Crehan (Art 85 EC Treaty, 1994-99).
• Net Book Agreement in the UK (Resale Prices Act - RPC, 1995).
• Petrol distribution in the UK (breach of contract, 1997-99).
• RPM on medicaments in the UK (Resale Prices Act - RPC, 2000-01).
• Smuggling of excise goods on cross-Channel transport services (Excise Directive and Art 28 and 49 EC Treaty, 2004-06).
• Pharmaceuticals in Spain - Glaxo's dual pricing (Art 81 EC Treaty - CFI appeal of EC decision, 2006).