GCR July 2007
Feeling the strain: Could direct settlements ease Europe's cartels backlog?
Country survey: Australia and Switzerland - Merger control and State aid - Japanese merger guidelines - Brussels roundtable: part II
Journal Feature
Feeling the strain
The European Commission has dished out record fines for cartel activity this year, prompting a slew of leniency applications. But with cases getting longer and appeals more common, something needs to be done to ease the system. David Vascot explains
When state aid and European merger review meet
Mathew Heim and Claudia Martinez Felix, of public affairs consultancy and think tank The Centre in Brussels, explore the issues that arise when the European Commission reviews state aid and mergers together
Japan in harmony
Akinori Uesugi, senior consultant at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in Tokyo and former secretary general of Japan's Fair Trade Commission, explains how Japan's new merger guidelines complete its harmonisation with international best practices
Dealing with DG Comp - a roundtable
To mark GCR's 10th birthday last month, JAMES CLASPER invited leading antitrust lawyers to discuss the European Commission's competition directorate. They began by identifying what they would do if they were in charge of DG Comp
Country Survey: Australia
A boon for small business
Australia's competition commission recently received new powers to target misuse of market power and unconscionable conduct. HENRY ANDREAE examines whether the reforms were necessary or just an election-year sop to small businesses
The wizards of Oz
Thanks to a flurry of merger activity and the competition authority's increasingly effective cartel enforcement, Australia has a thriving antitrust scene. HENRY ANDREAE investigates
An interview with Graeme Samuel
Graeme Samuel is chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. HENRY ANDREAE spoke to him about international cartel enforcement, Australia’s merger control regime and butting heads with Telstra
Country Survey: Switzerland
The soft touch
Switzerland's Competition Commission is failing to tackle cartels, despite evidence of widespread price-fixing. DAVID VASCOTT asks the country's competition lawyers what can be done
An interview with Walter Stoffel
Walter Stoffel is president of Switzerland’s Competition Commission. James Clasper caught up with him at this year’s International Competition Network meeting in Moscow, and asked him how successful the implementation of the country’s new cartel laws has been
The high-price island
Swiss competition lawyers have long had to cope with an unusual competitive environment. But competition law is evolving – as are Swiss law firms. DAVID VASCOTT investigates
Corporate Counsel
Corporate Counsel
Mette Valentin
Community News
Japan reappoints Takeshima
Kazuhiko Takeshima is to have a second five-year term as chairman of Japan's Fair Trade Commission.
Denton announces new competition head
Denton Wilde Sapte LLP has appointed a new head of competition, replacing Jonathan Tatten in London.
Torys scoops competition partner
Torys LLP has boosted its competition practice with a senior hire from McMillan Binch Mendelsohn LLP.
Howrey launches London practice with Lovells name
Howrey LLP has scooped a partner from Lovells LLP to head up its London competition group.
Agencywatch
Japanese panel targets recidivists
The Japanese government panel reviewing the Antimonopoly Act has released more details about possible changes.
FTC opposes health food tie-up
The US Federal Trade Commission is filing a lawsuit to block Whole Foods' merger with health food chain Wild Oats.
Enforcers turn to publicity in war on cartels
A senior European enforcement figure has admitted that DG Comp is releasing more information about price fixing cases.
Brazil extends leniency policy
The Brazilian government has enacted a new law permitting companies to enter into pleabargaining agreements with the country's competition watchdogs.
DG Comp announces merger consultation results
The European Commission has published its findings from a public consultation on non-horizontal merger guidelines.
NMa calls for better complaint processing
The Netherlands' Competition Authority has demanded better complaints-processing procedures for energy companies.
Brussels reacts to EU treaty surprise
European competition specialists are divided over moves by member states to drop their proposed commitment to open competition from the new European treaty.
Behind the Headlines
Commission clears Universal/BMG
The European Commission has approved Universal's bid for BMG's music publishing arm, subject to commitments.
Chicago exchanges gain antitrust clearance
The US Department of Justice has cleared a merger between the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade, after an in-depth investigation.
DG Comp clears travel tie-up
The European Commission has conditionally approved TUI's merger with First Choice Holidays.
DoJ attacks Monsanto deal
The US Department of Justice has ordered Monsanto and Delta & Pine Land to divest a clutch of major assets if they want to proceed with their US$1.5 billion merger.
Rival air businesses unite
Germany's MAHLE Group is acquiring a rival air filtration business from Siemens VDO. Jones Day scooped the lead role in the worldwide merger filings.
Global Briefing
Australia: New 'oilcode' comes into force
Following six years of development, the Australian government has delivered a new regulatory framework for the petroleum sector
Belgium: competitors challenge abolition of conditions imposed on cinema group
The Belgian Federation of Cinemas and several individual cinemas have appealed against a decision of the Competition Council to abolish conditions imposed on the Kinepolis Group
China: Groupe SEB gets green light to acquire Supor
Despite objections raised by Chinese cookware companies, and after eight months of scrutiny and deliberation, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has finally approved the acquisition of Zhejiang Supor Co by Groupe SEB
Singapore: Changes to law usher in new merger regime
A new merger regime under Singapore's Competition Act came into effect on 1 July 2007
Spain: Authorities recognise defence rights
Spanish competition authorities have recognised the defence rights of companies subject to informal antitrust investigations prior to the initiation of formal proceedings
Sweden: Newspaper loses dominance case
A free daily newspaper, Metro, has lost a predatory-pricing and bundling case in the Swedish Market Court
Switzerland: comission clears building materials deal
The Competition Commission has granted phase I clearance to the acquisition of Gétaz Romang Holding by CRH Europe Holding
United Kingdom: OFT closes investigations because of lack of consumer harm
Two recent decisions by the Office of Fair Trading suggest that it will challenge allegedly abusive pricing schemes only if there is actual evidence of an anti-competitive effect
United States: Court announces proper standard for pleading an antitrust conspiracy
On 21 May, the US Supreme Court announced the proper standard for pleading an antitrust conspiracy in Bell Atlantic Corp v Twombly
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