Models for antitrust policy and competition regulation have traditionally been guided by principles that have prioritized consumer welfare standards, albeit according to varied interpretations, and antitrust has often been seen as disconnected from mainstream public interest and political debate. But what can lawmakers and regulators do to meet the challenges of the political trend of populism that is prevailing in many developed economies? What should competition regulators do in response to the idea that the consumer welfare standard should be replaced – or supplemented – with another standard, or more broadly interpreted to allow consideration of consumer welfare effects that go beyond price, including the surrender by consumers of their personal data?  

In this context the annual Chatham House Competition Policy conference will assess how a range of public interest considerations — such as unemployment, discrimination or protection of small businesses — and rapidly evolving marketplaces, are reshaping thinking on antitrust policy and the regulation of markets to the extent that changes to the scope and nature of the consumer welfare standard are being advocated.

Discussion themes include:

• A consumer welfare approach versus market regulation
• Potential changes to the consumer welfare approach to encompass concerns other than price-related effects
• Advances in technology and the rise of new and unseen competition concerns 
• The realities of AI and big data for competition and market regulation
• What do these potential changes and new market realities mean for the consistency and predictability of antitrust decisions and business certainty
• To what extent do public interest considerations and wider trade issues impact on international cooperation between antitrust regulators

Continuing Professional Development 
6 CPD hours are available for delegates attending this event, as per the Bar Standards Board’s CPD Provider Accreditation Scheme. For professionals regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, 6 CPD hours are available for delegates that remain opted into the 16 hours annual CPD requirement.

The Chatham House Rule 
To enable as open a debate as possible, this conference will be held under the Chatham House Rule.

Twitter 
@CH_Events
#CHCompetition

Thursday 23 May
0930

Welcome and Chair's opening remarks
Howard Shelanski, Professor of Law, Georgetown University; Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell   

Session One | Competition Policy and Regulation: Pressures in a Globalised Economy
1000-1110

This opening session will assess the current political and economic dynamics that are shaping the decision-making environment for competition policy and regulation, and how in the context of the ongoing globalisation of the world economy, the pressures and expectations of populist movements along with rising trade tensions may influence the principles of competition policy and regulation across developed and developing countries.

Chair
Howard Shelanski, Professor of Law, Georgetown University; Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell   

Speakers
Andreas Mundt, President, Bundeskartellamt
Rebecca Slaughter, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission
Sarah Cardell, General Counsel, Competition and Markets Authority
Liyuan Wang, State Administration for Market Regulation, China

Questions and discussion

1110 – 1130 Refreshments

Session Two | Merger Control in an Environment of Trade Tensions and Populist Challenges
1130–1300

• How should competition authorities react to growing calls for them to take a tougher stance in relation to mergers and acquisitions in the face of increasing market concentration and the rise of common ownership?
• Do big businesses cause problems beyond their effects on competition?  If so, are antitrust laws the cure?
• To what extent should competition authorities have greater ability to intervene to protect smaller companies, or prevent their acquisition, where competition is not (yet) threatened?
• Where competition authorities do intervene, how should they ensure that they do not stifle investment or discourage innovation?
• Should competition authorities assess mergers on public interest grounds, including how mergers impact on labour markets or national security?  Should they be asking whether mergers will reduce competition for employees?
• How should competition authorities respond to calls for the promotion of national champions or other protectionist tendencies?

Chair
Jorge Padilla, Senior Managing Director and Head, Compass Lexecon Europe

Speakers
Cecilio Madero Villarejo, Deputy Director-General, DG Competition, European Commission
Amelia Fletcher, Professor of Competition Policy, Centre for Competition Policy, University of East Anglia
Aaron Hoag, Chief, Technology and Financial Services Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice
Wolfgang Heckenberger, Chief Counsel Competition, Siemens
Alex Nourry, Partner, Clifford Chance

Questions and discussion

1300 – 1400 Lunch

Session Three | Antitrust Tools and the Challenges of the Digital Economy
1400–1540

• Does the current antitrust framework need to be supplemented by regulation, inter alia to ensure common standards on transparency and fairness of online platforms?
• Is there a risk that undue intervention by competition authorities or regulation will hurt innovation and destroy incentives for new entrants to emerge capable of challenging incumbents?
• Does the possession of so-called Big Data give rise to barriers to entry or more efficient and innovative markets?
• Whilst the use of pricing algorithms can benefit consumers, how concerned should competition authorities be about the possibility that algorithms might facilitate collusive outcomes and lead to higher prices for consumers?
• Is there any reason to be concerned about the ability of firms to innovate without fear of undue enforcement, particularly given the special duty ascribed to dominant companies as regards their competitors and consumers?

Chair
Thomas Vinje, Partner, Chairman, Global Antitrust Group, Clifford Chance

Speakers
Jason Furman, Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Tommaso Valletti, Chief Competition Economist, European Commission
Heike Schweitzer, Professor, Humboldt University
David Sevy, Executive Vice President, Compass Lexecon
Horacio Gutierrez, General Counsel, VP Business & Legal Affairs, Spotify

Questions and discussion

1540 – 1610 Afternoon refreshments

Session Four | International Co-operation Between Competition Authorities: Ensuring Consistent and Effective Enforcement in Interconnected Economy
1600–1730

• How can the compatibility of procedural and substantive competition rules be maintained, along with legal certainty and predictability, in the face of the growing divergence in trade and industrial policies and conflicting public interest goals?
• To what extent, if any, could the promotion of best practices and substantive convergence in competition enforcement through multi-lateral organisations such as the OECD and the ICN be enhanced?
• What other steps could be taken to increase co-operation and coordination in the enforcement of the competition rules such as, for example, the development of international standards for comity, systems of mutual recognition of decisions of other authorities or deference to a lead authority?
• Is bi-lateral and multi-lateral cooperation sufficient to ensure effective and consistent enforcement or is there a greater need for supra-national authorities, at least, regionally, if not internationally?
• Can or should WTO rules play a greater role in ensuring a level playing field and thereby removing the incentives for divergence in the scope and enforcement of the competition rules?

Chair
Sean Ennis, Director, Centre for Competition Policy and Professor of Competition Policy, University of East Anglia

Speakers
Isolde Goggin, Chairperson of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Ireland
João Paulo Resende, Commissioner, Administrative Council for Economic Defense, Brazil 
Gabriel Harnier, Head of Law, Patents & Compliance, Bayer
Avaantika Kakkar, Partner, Head of Competition Practice, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

Questions and discussion

1730 Close of conference and drinks reception

© The Royal Institute of International Affairs 2019

Speakers

General Counsel of major companies may register at the standard government department rate.

Ways to book:

1. Online: Click here to complete the online registration form
2. Phone: Call Boudicca Georgii Hellberg on +44 (0)20 7314 2785
3. Email/Post: Download a PDF registration form, complete and return to Boudicca Georgii Hellberg via email or post: Chatham House, 10 St. James's Square, London, SW1Y 4LE

Check if your organization is a member of Chatham House here.

Your delegate pass includes:

• Conference attendance
• Documentation
• Lunch and refreshments

Travel and accommodation are not included.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for this event, please contact Kamil Hussain on +44 (0)20 7957 5783

If you are interested in becoming a media partner or supporting organization for this event, please contact Ayesha Arif on +44 (0)20 7957 5753

Chatham House
10 St James's Square
London
SW1Y 4LE
UK
conferences@chathamhouse.org

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7957 5643
Fax: +44 (0)20 7957 5710

If you wish to book the venue for your own event please phone +44 (0)20 7314 2764

Directions
The nearest tube station is Piccadilly Circus which is on the Piccadilly and the Bakerloo Underground lines. From Piccadilly follow Regent Street southwards towards Pall Mall and take the first road on the right called Jermyn Street. Duke of York Street is the second road on the left and leads to St James's Square. Chatham House is immediately on your right.

Map

Accommodation
Although we cannot book accommodation for delegates, we have arranged a reduced rate at some nearby hotels, where you can book your own accommodation. Please inform the hotel that you will be attending a conference at Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs) to qualify for the Institute's reduced rate.

Please note all rates are subject to availability.

Flemings Mayfair
13 Half Moon Street
Mayfair
London - W1J 7BH

Tel: + 44 (0)20 7499 2964
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7499 1817
reservations@flemings.co.uk

Classic Double without breakfast: £195 +VAT

The Cavendish London
81 Jermyn Street
London - SW1U 6JF

Tel: + 44 (0)20 7930 2111
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7839 2125
enquiry.cavendish@the-ascott.com 

Classic Room without breakfast: £195 +VAT

Book The Cavendish online

The Stafford London 
St James's Place
London - SW1A 1NJ

Tel: 020 7493 0111
Fax: 020 7493 7121
​reservations@thestaffordlondon.com

Classic Queen without breakfast: £247 +VAT
Quote Chatham House

This conference will be held under the Chatham House Rule. Information for journalists.

Press can request a press pass.

For enquiries relating to the conference agenda or sponsorship please call Kamil Hussain on +44 (0) 20 7957 5783

For registration enquiries please call Boudicca Georgii Hellberg on +44 (0)20 7314 2785

For general enquiries please email conferences@chathamhouse.org