A Q&A guide to private antitrust litigation in the UK (England and Wales).

The Q&A provides a high-level overview of the legal basis for bringing private antitrust litigation actions; parties to an action; limitation periods and forum; standard of proof and liability; costs and timing; pre-trial applications and hearings; alternative dispute resolution; settlement or discontinuance of an action; proceedings at trial; available defences; available remedies; appeals and proposed legislative reform.

This Q&A is part of the global guide to private antitrust litigation. The private antitrust litigation global guide serves as a single, essential, starting point of practical reference for both clients and practitioners in considering the various merits of commencing, defending or settling antitrust claims.

This resource may be affected by Brexit. Please note the law-stated date of the resource, and that it may not incorporate all recent developments. The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. The transition period ended on 31 December 2020 (see Brexit essentials: Q&As on agreements and operation of UK law: What happened at the end of the transition period?). This Country Q&A will be updated in line with our usual publication schedule following the end of transition (see Guide to assessing legal change after end of post-Brexit transition period and UK law after end of post-Brexit transition period: overview). If you require more specific information, please see Beyond Brexit: the legal implications.