personal liability for infringements of competition law in denmark
DESCRIPTION
Personal liability for infringements of competition law in Denmark. Martin André Dittmer | 31 October 2014. The 2013 sanction & enforcement reform – Context. Longstanding efforts to bolster antitrust enforcement – in particular cartel detection . - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
58th UIA Congress 31 October 2014
Personal liability for infringements of competition law in Denmark
Martin André Dittmer | 31 October 2014
31 October 201458th UIA Congress
The 2013 sanction & enforcement reform – Context
- Longstanding efforts to bolster antitrust enforcement – in particular cartel detection.
- Fines for executive management and board of directors since parent Act of 1997. - Limited level of fines; usually DKK 25,000 (approx. EUR 3,500).
- Leniency program introduced in 2007:- DCCA expected wave of whistleblowers.- Limited effect – not many ‘proper cartels’ detected.
- Horizontal price cases mostly trade associations- For example Danish Christmas tree cartel.
31 October 201458th UIA Congress
The 2013 sanction & enforcement reform – Context
- 2009: Government formed a committee with a mandate to assess if introducing prison sentence would contribute to a stronger enforcement in cartel cases.
- March 2012: Committee finalized report recommending
a number of initiatives including prison sentence.
- December 2012: Parliament passes amendment Act including prison sentence provision.
- March 2013: Provisions on new sanctions including prison sentence in higher fines enter into force.
31 October 201458th UIA Congress
DCCA on marketing campaign following new rules
31 October 201458th UIA Congress
Prison sentence for antitrust infringements – FAQ
- What is the sentence?- Up to 1½ years.- Up to 6 years if severely aggravating circumstances.
- Who can go to prison?- Act says ”the offender”.- In practice, generally members of executive
management/members of board.- Preparatory works: Lower tier management and
other employees may also constitute offenders depending on circumstances.- No guidance on when lower tier management/other employees are relevant
subject in stead of or in addition to management.
Overview
31 October 201458th UIA Congress
Prison sentence for antitrust infringements – FAQ
- Which type of infringements?- Imprisonment is reserved for ‘cartel agreements’.- A ‘cartel agreement’ means an agreement, concerted practice or decision
between undertakings, operating at the same level of trade, on:- Prices, profits etc. for the sale or resale of goods or services,- Restrictions on production or sales,- Sharing of markets or customers, or- Coordination of bids
31 October 201458th UIA Congress
Prison sentence for antitrust infringements – FAQ
- Which type of infringements?- Blurred lines. Many boarder line situations.
- For example lawfulness of bidding consortia?- Enforcers do not see any blurred lines:
- DCCA executive: ”We’ve had competition law for decades. Everyone knows when something is a cartel.”
- Cartel public prosecutor official: ”We intend to test the boundaries of the new legal framework.”
- Cartes Bancaires ruling hopefully gives some restraint strict interpretation of ‘by object’.
- Mens rea: Intent is requried for prison sentence (gross negligence sufficient for fines)
- Still waiting for the first prison case. DCCA says something is in the pipeline.
31 October 201458th UIA Congress
Also new fine guidelines for individuals
National campaign by competition authority
Distinction between different infringements
The level of fines
Less serious infringements Minimum EUR 6,667 (DKK 50,000)
Serious infringements Minimum EUR 13,334 (DKK 100,000)
Very serious infringements Minimum EUR 26,667 (DKK 200,000)
31 October 201458th UIA Congress
Leniency
- Individuals can apply for leniency.
- Whistleblower can avoid fines and imprisonment if first to blow the whistle.
- If the individual is not the first to ”blow the whistle” it is possible to get a reduced fine or a reduced sentence.
- Lawyers ethics issue for discussion: Should the company’s advisor also be advising the CEO?
National campaign by competition authority
31 October 201458th UIA Congress
Thank you
31 October 201458th UIA Congress
Contact information
Martin André [email protected] +45 33 41 41 43M+45 24 28 68 27
Gorrissen FederspielH.C. Andersens Boulevard 121553 Copenhagen VDenmarkT +45 33 41 41 41F +45 33 41 41 33www.gorrissenfederspiel.com