Home > About the GLS > GLS Departments > Competition Commission

Competition Commission

The Competition Commission (CC) is an independent public body established by the Competition Act 1998. It replaced the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on 1 April 1999. The CC conducts in-depth inquiries into mergers, markets and the regulation of the major regulated industries. Every inquiry is undertaken in response to a reference made to it by another authority: usually by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) but in certain circumstances the Secretary of State, or by the regulators under sector-specific legislative provisions relating to regulated industries. The Commission has no power to conduct inquiries on its own initiative. Its work is vital in making sure that competition remains the key driver of the long-term competitiveness of UK industry, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurialism, enabling companies to compete in world markets. This applies across the whole of UK industry whether the market is cars, supermarkets, banking services or even carpet underlay! The Enterprise Act regime has transferred responsibilities for the last word on “merger” and "market investigation" cases to the CC and away from the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (previously the CC’s power in relation to remedies was only to make recommendations to the Secretary of State but now it is determinative) reinforcing the independence of the Competition Commission, giving it greater responsibilities and enhancing its role.

Work of the Legal Team

Members of the Legal Group work closely with inquiry directors, inquiry secretaries, economists, accountants, business advisers and other support staff to assist the Members of the Commission in reaching their conclusions. The lawyers are expected to have knowledge and experience of administrative law and competition law, advising on procedural issues and also on the substance of the economic and legal analysis. The Legal Group also advises on issues of wider policy significance within the CC such as legislative developments which have an impact on the work of the CC.

Benefits & Rewards

There twenty nine days holiday plus ten and a half privilege days annually and membership of the Civil Service pension scheme. Flexible working hours may be possible.

The CC encourages staff to attend training and there are ample opportunities to attend internal and external training relating to relevant legal and economic issues.

Legal Trainee & Pupillage Opportunities

The CC does not currently have trainees or pupils.

Qualified Lawyer Vacancies

Recruitment of qualified lawyers is carried out according to demand via direct advertisement of posts in the press.

Location

Victoria House, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AD.

Further Information

For further information:

Visit: http://www.competition-commission.org.uk

Or contact:

Jenny Archer
Victoria House,
Southampton Row,
London WC1B 4AD.

Telephone: 020 7271 0164
E-mail: Jenny.Archer@Competition-Commission.gsi.gov.uk