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Neighbourhood watch

14 March 2014 / Andrew Francis , Suzanne Rab
Issue: 7598 / Categories: Features , Property
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 Are property sales and letting agents under scrutiny? Suzanne Rab & Andrew Francis say you can put your house on it

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is investigating a potential infringement under the Competition Act 1998, Ch I which is the UK domestic legislation applying to restrictive agreements, including cartels. Chapter I mirrors the EU competition law prohibition on restrictive agreements contained in Art 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. Chapter I prohibits agreements, decisions and concerted practices between or among undertakings or associations of undertakings (including trade associations) which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition within the UK and which affect trade in the UK. The OFT may impose penalties of up to 10% of turnover on a company or association that is found to have violated a provision of UK or EU competition law, including Ch I. Individual directors may face disqualification from acting as a company director for up to 15 years.

The provision of property sales and letting

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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