Salhan Dharna Law
Criminal Defence Solicitors
Criminal Cartels
With over three decades of extensive experience in managing criminal law, our lawyers pride themselves on providing unparalleled expertise to individuals facing legal issues related to offences. Whether you have been arrested or summoned, our dedicated team is committed to leveraging our deep knowledge of the law and court procedures to secure the best possible outcome for you.
Criminal Cartels
Competition law in the UK is enforced in one of two ways. Public enforcement involves investigations by public bodies, principally the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and – before Brexit – the European Commission (EC). Investigations can be civil or criminal in nature and the CMA has the power to levy substantial fines against a company that infringes competition law.
The criminal cartel offence applies to an individual who agrees to create or participate in arrangements involving price fixing, market/customer sharing, bid-rigging or output limitation (cartel behaviour). Individuals found guilty of an offence can face imprisonment, unlimited financial penalties and disqualification as director.
Private enforcement refers to actions for damages taken by companies or individuals who suffer a loss as a result of breaches of competition law. These claims can either follow a decision of the EC or CMA (known as “follow-on” claims) or be independent of such an investigation (“stand-alone” claims).
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​For those facing such allegations, preserving evidence, including messages and social media contacts, is imperative. Contact us promptly for tailored legal advice and support tailored to your unique circumstances.