Review under way into Guernsey competition laws

A policy letter on changes to local competition regulation is set to be published

Guernsey’s Economic Development Committee has paid for consultants to look at competition rules in different places, as part of a review of local laws.

Deputy Neil Inder, committee president, said the review was "long overdue".

Feedback from stakeholders so far suggested that the new legal framework should be changed so the regulator was able to take account of the States of Guernsey’s policy objectives.

The comments also said other regulators were able to use other approaches like using mediation to resolve disputes.

'Right size' framework

Competition law is in place to stop firms from taking part in conduct which could distort the competitive process and harm competition.

Mr Inder said the government needed to "ensure that the competition and regulatory framework is fit for purpose".

He added it needed to meet the requirements of States priorities, enable business growth and be proportionate to the size of the jurisdiction, "in short, we need to 'right size' our regulatory framework."

The review had taken into account feedback from 19 people so far.

A policy letter on changes to local competition regulation was set to be published before April 2025.