Justice for hire? Opportunities and challenges in third-party litigation funding in competition collective actions
In many jurisdictions, collective actions in competition law have become an important route for consumers and businesses to seek redress. Yet these cases are costly and complex. Third-party litigation funding (TPLF) has emerged as a central mechanism for making them viable. Recent UK experience provides important lessons on the opportunities… Read More
Podcasts
Should pensions be a source of funding for a country’s investment needs?
The UK government aims to stimulate economic growth by encouraging more investment in British businesses. One potential source of that investment is pension funds, but would such policies truly serve the long-term interests of savers and/or the short-term needs of the economy? In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Dr… Read More
Oxera AI policy map – October 2025
Drawing on Oxera’s combined expertise in digital policy and regulation, as well as in analytics, data science and AI, we have developed a database that tracks key national and supranational AI policy developments across the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK. This curated collection brings together legal texts, strategy… Read More
Ofgem’s RIIO-ED3 SSMC
On 8 October 2025, Ofgem published its Sector Specific Methodology Consultation (SSMC) for the forthcoming RIIO-ED3 (ED3) price control for GB electricity distribution networks. We look at some of the key themes emerging from the consultation ahead of the final methodology decision, which is expected to be published in December… Read More
What are the challenges of decarbonising industry in the transition to a green economy?
Earlier this year, the European Commission set out its recommendations for implementing its clean industrial deal—aimed at supporting the EU’s decarbonisation goals while maintaining global competitiveness. Although sectors like electricity generation have seen substantial emissions reductions, many industrial areas still face a steep path ahead. In this episode of Top… Read More
ACM’s draft method decisions for gas and electricity networks
Across Europe, several regulators are consulting on how their frameworks should evolve to respond to the challenges that energy networks face due to climate commitments and the broader macroeconomic environment. The Autoriteit Consument & Markt (the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, ACM) has now entered this debate with its… Read More
The role of regulation in spurring innovation and growth in the EU and the UK
Since the 2008 financial crisis, both the EU and the UK have experienced sustained periods of low growth and weak productivity. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these trends, and their share of global GDP has continued to decline, especially relative to the US and emerging economies. This has provoked scrutiny… Read More
Reasserting the UK’s FRAND framework: implications of the Court of Appeal’s decision in Optis v Apple
Nearly a decade after establishing the UK’s FRAND framework in Unwired Planet v Huawei (2017), Lord Justice Birss returned in Optis v Apple (2025)—this time in the Court of Appeal—to steer the law back to his original approach.1 That means identifying the closest comparator(s), adjusting the… Read More
What’s driving the loss of skilled women in STEM?
Despite progress in education, women remain significantly underrepresented in many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) fields—and those who do enter are more likely to leave mid-career. In the UK, for example, women make up 30% of economics undergraduates, but just 15% of professors. So why are we still failing… Read More
The Independent Water Commission—implications for regulation
This week brought the publication of the Independent Water Commission’s final recommendations for reforming the England and Wales water sector. The report identifies a set of recommendations intended to drive a ‘fundamental reset’ in the industry and restore public trust. In this note, we explore five aspects of the Commission’s… Read More