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Leniency Programme. Igor Pospíšil Director of the Cartel Department St . Martin Conference 2009 November 12, 2009. Agenda of presentation. Development of Leniency Programme i n CR and its current application Access to File and Leniency Cartel C riminalization and Leniency
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Leniency Programme Igor Pospíšil Director of the Cartel Department St. Martin Conference 2009 November 12, 2009
Agenda of presentation • Development of Leniency Programme in CR and its current application • Access to File and Leniency • Cartel Criminalization and Leniency • Multijurisdictional issues • Leniency and Settlement
I. Development of Leniency Programme in CR and its current practice
Previous Leniency Programme From July 2001 to June 2007 Included also vertical agreements Immunity granting – administrative discretion 4 applications
Current Leniency Programme since June28, 2007 Based on ECN Model Leniency Programme Differences (ECN Model Leniency Programme - Report on Assessment of the State of Convergence) • Immunity or fine reduction cannot be granted to the applicant, who initialized cartel, who coerced others to participate on a cartel, or remain in it and who was a leader of a cartel • The applicant has to end his participation in cartel immediately after filing an application • The application could be submitted orally (para. 2.1.2 programme) – inaccuracy in the report
… worth to mention more immunity applicants in one case Down-raidstogether with EC Leniency Working Group – ECN, Working Group Cartels Web address– http://www.compet.cz/hospodarska-soutez/zakazane-dohody-a-zneuziti-dominance/leniency-program/presents programme for public; contacts for applications’ submission or for consultation
II. Leniency and access to file
Former legal regulation • till September 1, 2009 under Administrative Procedure Code (APC) • Non-accessible documents - containing business secret • Documents containing business secret – accessible for parties when used as a prooffor the decision
Current approach of the Office • In the launched proceedings the Leniency application is considered as business secret • Documents provided in Leniency application are not accessible to parties until the Statement of Objection is issued (proceedings opened under the APC)
Current legal regulation • Access to file – special provision in the Act on Protection of Competition (Art. 21c) • The parts of file containing business secret are not accessible • The documents without business secret could be requested
III. Cartel Criminalizationand Leniency
Cartel as Criminal Offence • Participation in cartel could be criminal offence under Art. 127 of Criminal Code • from 1st January 2010 – new Criminal Code -under Art. 248 para. 2 - explicitly cartel as the criminal offence • Cartel - criminal offence under both Acts • The duty to report a crime – Criminal Procedure Act (Art. 8), does not change • Can it threat Leniency? - no explicit link to effective repentance
IV. Multijurisdictional aspects
Multijurisdictional aspects • Most of submitted applications are proceed by more CA • Subjective period vs. waiting for EC statement of objection • Ne bis in idem – judgement of the Supreme Administrative Court - two different torts • Threat of inconsistency - parties to proceedings, proofs,definition of relevant market, relevant period • Fine calculation – how to set a fine in market-sharing cases, when some participants did not supply goods to CR
V. Leniency and Settlement
Leniency and Settlement • The settlement as means of proof shall not apply in horizontal agreement cases, where the leniency could be used • Settlement as a procedural tool (principles of art. 6 APC – promptness and efficiency of procedure) could be used • Different interpretation – settlement could threat Leniency functioning - especially the reduction of fine
Thank you for your attention. Other information: Igor Pospíšil igor.pospisil@compet.cz www.compet.cz