The Gulating Court of Appeal has today repealed the decision of the Competition Tribunal of 27 May 2021. The Court does not agree with the Norwegian Competition Authority that Schibsted’s acquisition of Nettbil would significantly impede effective competition and has therefore repealed the Tribunal’s decision.
– Both the Norwegian Competition Authority and the Competition Tribunal concluded that the acquisition could lead to reduced competition and harm consumers. We take note of the judgment and the fact that the Court of Appeal disagrees with the Tribunal’s decision. We will now carefully study the judgment, says Director General Tina Søreide at the Norwegian Competition Authority.
The transaction between Schibsted and Nettbil was not subject to mandatory notification. The Competition Authority imposed a duty on Schibsted to notify the acquisition in March 2020, after its implementation in December 2019. The Competition Authority decided to block the transaction on 11 November 2020. Schibsted appealed the decision to the Competition Tribunal, which confirmed the Competition Authority’s decision on 27 May 2021.
– We note that the Court of Appeal disagrees both with the Competition Authority and the Competition Tribunal. We will now consider whether there are any reasons to appeal the judgment, says Legal Director Karin Stakkestad Laastad.