Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities

The Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities (CICRA) is the name given to the combined Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority and the Guernsey Competition and Regulatory Authority, which operate in the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey in the Channel Islands.

History

Formed in December 2010, CICRA is responsible for administering and enforcing the Competition (Jersey) Law 2005 and The Competition (Guernsey) Ordinance 2012. The purpose of the legislation is to prevent consumers being harmed by anti-competitive or exploitative behaviour in the market.[1]

The decision to form a joint body was taken because of the similarity of needs and the reduction in duplication through economies of scale. Resources available to CICRA are limited.[2]

Areas of responsibility

The areas of responsibility are being developed:[3]

  • Competition law
    • Some areas of work are discretionary, others such as a duty to investigate mergers and acquisitions are statutory
  • Telecommunications
    • Regulator
  • Postal sectors
    • Regulator looking at quality and universal service obligations
  • Electricity – Guernsey 2012
    • Regulator
  • Ports – Jersey 2015
    • Economic regulatory authority, to protect and further the interests of users of port operations and where appropriate promote competition

Board

The board comprises a chairman, three executive directors and three non-executive directors. As of July 2016, Michael O’Higgins chairs the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) and the Guernsey Competition Regulatory Authority (GCRA). Together, these bodies make up the Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities (CICRA). The JCRA and GCRA administer different laws in each bailiwick respectively but share resources and cooperate on pan-Channel Island issues. After appointment in both jurisdictions, Mr O’Higgins became Chair of CICRA.[4]

There are fewer than ten staff spread between two offices in the two islands.[1]

Areas of contention

An investigation by CICRA into possible market abuse by a States of Guernsey contract in 2016 was blocked as the States refused to supply CICRA with the necessary funding.[5] The investigation was dropped in January 2017.[6]

The ownership of regulated companies by the governments, such as Jersey Post and Guernsey Electricity, can produce conflicts.[2]

References
  1. "Annual Report 2012" (PDF). CICRA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  2. "A review of the Jersey regulatory and competition framework" (PDF). Oxera. 16 November 2015.
  3. "Strategic Aims" (PDF). CICRA.
  4. Jersey, States of (8 July 2016). "Nomination for chairman of competition authority". www.gov.je. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  5. "Cicra denied States cash to probe 'market abuse'". Guernsey Press. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  6. "Cicra drops inquiry into alleged States contract abuse due to funds delay". Guernsey Press. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
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