The Competition Ordinance (Ordinance) is currently being reviewed for its effectiveness by the Government, having just passed its third anniversary. At this milestone, we consider the key takeaway points from the Hong Kong Competition Commission’s (HKCC) 2018 activities and our predictions in terms of enforcement for 2019. Read more

On 23 June 2016, 51.89% of the UK population voted to leave the EU, following which the UK served notice under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), triggering the process for the UK’s exit from the EU. On 13 November 2018, it was announced that a Withdrawal Agreement and outline Political Declaration on the Future Relationship between the EU and the UK (Political Declaration) had been agreed. These documents received the backing of the UK Cabinet on 14 November 2018. This article examines the key provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement, immediate next steps in the Brexit process, as well as what could happen in the near future and how best to prepare for Brexit. Read more

In this briefing, we discuss two recent developments in the Hong Kong competition regime: first, the third cartel case prosecuted by the Hong Kong Competition Commission (Commission) since the coming into force of the Competition Ordinance (Ordinance) in December 2015; and second the transfer of two contractual claims from the High Court to the Hong Kong Competition Tribunal (Tribunal), which raises the possibility of private enforcement actions. Read more

Riding the wave of development Southeast Asian (SEA) competition law regimes have seen a flurry of activity recently, from comprehensive legislative reforms to developments in enforcement activity. Further changes are also expected at a regional level, as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) network is reportedly considering establishing a regional enforcers’ network within 2018. … Read more

Various antitrust developments made headlines across Asia during the first half of 2018, but arguably some of the most impactful changes have occurred in China, where there has been a major restructuring of the antitrust regulators. In this e-bulletin, we provide a quick round-up of some of the key developments in the PRC and Hong Kong competition law regimes. Read more

In the second briefing in our series on the digital world in Asia, we discuss the opportunities and antitrust risks associated with the rise of 5G technology in the region. In particular, we discuss the opportunities involved in relation to collaboration and standarisation of 5G technologies, how to manage the potential antitrust risks related to such projects and the key pitfalls to avoid. Read more

Asian competition regulators are likely to continue to focus on the pharmaceutical industry, particularly over product pricing and the market treatment of generic drugs. Read more

Preparations continue as the Hong Kong Government brings the Competition Ordinance into effect in phases.  The Ordinance, which has been enacted to curb cross-sector anti-competitive conduct, is expected to remain in this transitional period until sometime in 2014 so the public and relevant stakeholders can familiarize themselves with the new legal requirements and make any … Read more