Taxmann's Competition Laws Manual with Case Laws Digest – Updated One-volume Legal Reference that Decodes India's Entire Competition Regime—Law | Procedure | Landmark Cases
About this ebook
This book is intended for the following audience:
• Practitioners & Lawyers – Ideal for advocates and law firms specialising in corporate, commercial, and competition litigation, offering quick references and detailed expositions on Competition Act provisions
• In-house Legal Teams & Compliance Officers – Detailed coverage of notification requirements, merger regulations, and settlement/commitment provisions helps corporate counsel and compliance professionals
• Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries & Cost Accountants – Aids professionals involved in regulatory compliance, filings, and advisory work for competition law aspects of M&A, joint ventures, or business agreements
• Academics & Students – An excellent academic resource for coursework and research with detailed commentary, legislative history, and case digests
• Policy-makers & Regulators – Reference material for authorities needing to align policies with competition principles and track legal developments in competition jurisprudence
The Present Publication is the 14th Edition | 2025, amended upto 2nd June 2025. This book is authored/edited by Taxmann's Editorial Board with the following noteworthy features:
• [Incorporates the Latest Amendments] Covers the Competition (Amendment) Act 2023 in detail, explaining each amendment and its practical impact
• [Comprehensive Commentary & Analysis]
o Detailed discussions on anti-competitive agreements (including cartels), abuse of dominant position, and combination regulations
o Insightful interpretations of new concepts like 'material influence,' expanded powers of the Director General, settlement and commitment provisions, and 'global turnover' for penalty computation
• [Structured Presentation]
o Clear demarcation of statutory provisions, rules, regulations, notifications, and circulars
o Systematic arrangement of chapters reflecting the actual flow of the Competition Act, along with paraphrased commentary, relevant highlights, and tabular summaries
• [Extensive Case Laws Digest]
o The book ends with a robust digest of landmark judgments by the Supreme Court, NCLAT, and the CCI
o Digest includes nuanced rulings on cartels, dominance, mergers, penalties, and jurisdictional aspects
• [Procedural Guidance & Practical Tools]
o Step-by-step procedures for filing information, references, merger notifications, and appeals
o Templates and references for forms (e.g., Form I, Form II, and Form III) under Combination Regulations
o Explains the interplay between the Competition Commission, the Director General, and the Appellate Tribunal
• [Competition Advocacy Insights] Special coverage on competition advocacy, highlighting advisory and awareness-building functions of the CCI
The coverage of the book is as follows:
• Legislative Material
o Full, updated text of the Competition Act 2002, amended by the Competition (Amendment) Act 2023
o Notifications, rules, and regulations (e.g., Combination Regulations, Lesser Penalty Regulations, Settlement & Commitment Regulations) systematically compiled
• Section-by-section Commentary
o Guidance under each section of the Competition Act, including interpretation notes and relevant case law references
• Procedural & Enforcement Framework
o Roles, powers, and functions of the Competition Commission of India
o Detailed coverage on the Director General's enhanced investigative powers under the 2023 amendments
o Procedures for inquiry, interim orders, penalty imposition, and appeals
• Penalties & Enforcement
o Explanation of penalty provisions, including the newly introduced 'global turnover' concept and lesser penalty for cartels
o Detailed guides on penalty computation, show cause notices, and hearing processes
• Settlements & Commitments
o Newly inserted legal provisions on the settlement after the Director General's report and commitment before the conclusion of the investigation
o Step-by-step procedures, potential benefits, and restrictions on these mechanisms
• Combination Regulations & Mergers
o Mandatory notification requirements; analysis of the 150-day' cooling period'
o Definition of 'control' amended to 'material influence' and coverage of the 'value of transaction' threshold (₹2,000 crores)
o Exemptions (e.g., for open offers, certain financial institutions), penalty for non-notification, and scope of CCI's remedial powers
• Special Topics
o Overriding effect of the Act, interplay with other laws, and special provisions covering consumer protection, IP rights, and public interest
o Discussion of cross-border mergers and extraterritorial jurisdiction of CCI
• Case Laws Digest
o Exhaustive discussion of key judgments shaping Indian competition jurisprudence: from classic cartel decisions to modern digital markets (e.g., matters concerning Google, telecom disputes, etc.)
o Summaries arranged by topic for quick reference
The structure of the book is as follows:
• Preliminary Chapters – Introduction to competition law, MRTP Act's repeal, and the shift in policy orientation towards the Competition Act
• Act/Rules/Notifications – The main text of the Competition Act 2002 (with Amendments) followed by comprehensive rules, regulations, and clarifications
• Thematic Commentary – Commentaries split across sections covering Anti-competitive Agreements (section 3), Abuse of Dominant Position (section 4), and Combinations (sections 5–6)
• Procedural Framework & Powers – Detailed chapters on inquiry, investigation, powers of the Commission and Director General, penalties, appeals, and compensation
• Tribunal Reforms – Updated portion on the NCLAT as the appellate forum, replacing the erstwhile Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT)
• Case Laws Digest – A curated digest, cross-referenced with chapters, covering Supreme Court, NCLAT, and CCI decisions
• Subject Index – A robust index for easy navigation of topics, legislation, and case references
About the author
At the core of Taxmann's commitment to delivering insightful and reliable information is a highly skilled Research & Editorial Team consisting of Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, and Lawyers. Guided by Editor-In-Chief Mr Rakesh Bhargava, this team upholds Taxmann's role as a leading content provider in the professional knowledge space.
Operating with Six Sigma-inspired precision, the team is driven to eliminate errors and maintain excellence across all content outputs. Their content creation follows strict editorial principles to ensure authority, depth, and insight. Key guidelines include:
• Verified Sourcing – All statutory content is carefully curated from credible, authorized sources, ensuring authenticity and dependability
• Up-to-Date Information – With a commitment to timely updates, the team ensures readers are informed of the latest judicial and legislative changes
• Analytical Depth – Focused on high-impact issues, the team provides deep analysis to help readers understand the implications and nuances of recent developments
• Precise and Accurate Communication – Each publication is crafted for clarity and precision, making complex topics accessible and practical for professionals
• Rigorous Referencing – Analytical insights are thoroughly referenced with relevant sections, circulars, notifications, and rulings, enhancing trustworthiness
• Consistency and Quality – Taxmann adheres strictly to standards of style, grammar, and format, ensuring a smooth and professional reading experience
• Reader-Friendly Design – Both print and digital formats are designed with legibility in mind, enhancing accessibility across platforms
By adhering to these standards, Taxmann's Editorial Team strengthens its position as a trusted content company, empowering professionals with authoritative resources to make informed decisions.
