Report

Global antitrust enforcement report

Antitrust authorities worldwide continued their enforcement activity against anti-competitive conduct in 2023. Read our analysis of the key themes shaping authorities’ activities, based on analysis of enforcement data from 31 jurisdictions.

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Read Time
8 mins
Published Date
Apr 9, 2024
Global fines for antitrust enforcement in 2023 were down year on year amid the ongoing impact of COVID-19, while the proliferation of private enforcement actions across the U.S., U.K., and EU continues to have a chilling effect on leniency applications. In this report we identify the sectors and types of conduct facing continuing regulatory scrutiny and highlight issues posing particular risks - including digital markets, sustainability and labor market issues.
Summary

2023 marked a significant year in the evolution of digital markets regulation, largely influenced by the introduction of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). New rules are due to be introduced in the U.K., while South Africa, India, and South Korea are considering their own digital regulatory frameworks.

For the third year running, bid-rigging was the most commonly enforced type of cartel conduct (42% of decisions). The most targeted sectors included construction (U.K. and Europe), vaccine companies (Korea) and pacemakers (Brazil).

In 24 of the 31 jurisdictions we analyzed, antitrust regulators had carried out dawn raids, though corporates are increasingly pushing back. At the same time, international cooperation is on the rise – between countries and regions.

Supporting report content

Global antitrust enforcement report 2024

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Content Disclaimer

This content was originally published by Allen & Overy before the A&O Shearman merger

Related people

This report was developed by lawyers across our global network with leadership roles in global antitrust, competition, arbitration and litigation. You can read about their expertise below.