Competition law working group publishes Brexit “issues paper”

Maya Lester QC

The Brexit Competition Law Working Group (list of members here) has published an ‘issues paper’ here which is intended to foster public debate and inform government policy on the implications of Brexit for competition law and policy. The paper explains the immediate likely effects of the UK leaving the EU on mergers and antitrust rules that must be considered in the short term, and longer term issues, including in relation to the private enforcement of competition law.

The group welcomes contributions by 30 November 2016 from all engaged in UK competition law and policy, including legal practitioners, consumer groups, business organisations, economic consultants, regulators and academics.  It will hold roundtable discussions (provisional dates 23 November, 5 December and 12 December 2016). It will submit a final report to Government and publish it early in 2017.