Colombia: National Government modifies antitrust leniency regulations

On February 23 2022, the Colombian National Government issued Decree 253 (the “Decree”), modifying the regulation concerning antitrust leniency programs, known in Colombia as the Collaboration Benefit Program (“CBP”), applicable in administrative investigations conducted by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (the “Superintendence” or the “SIC”) in regards to anticompetitive practices.

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Brazil: “Practical Guide for the Analysis of Price Increases of Products and Services” launched to identify abusiveness in offering products and services

The National Consumer Secretariat of the Ministry of Justice of Brazil (Secretaria Nacional do Consumidor (SENACON)) has prepared a guide — the “Practical Guide for the Analysis of Price Increases of Products and Services” — focusing on guiding the authorities’ actions on the identification and characterization of abusive price increases for products and services and what measures should be taken in this case.

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United Kingdom: Security concerns lead to Tier 1 Investor route being closed

The Government closed the Tier 1 Investor visa route to all new applicants with immediate effect on Thursday 17 February. The reason for this is stated to be as a result of security concerns with a number of cases being linked to corruption and illegitimately acquired wealth.

The Innovator route is to be restructured in order to provide an investment route which effectively supports the UK’s economy.

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The Madrid Regional Government is preparing the Open Market Act

On 2 February 2022, the Madrid Regional Council passed the Draft Open Market Bill, which is currently undergoing a parliamentary procedure at the Madrid Assembly and is expected to be passed by June 2022. Once it is passed, it will become enforceable three months after it is published in Madrid’s Official Regional Gazette (BOCM). You will find our analysis of this important legislative initiative below.

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