Competition and Price Fixing
It is an offence under the Enterprise Act 2002 to take part in cartel behaviour. This is where an individual has entered into an agreement with another with the intention of:
- fixing the price for the supply of a product or service,
- limiting or preventing the supply of a product or service,
- Limiting or preventing the production of a product,
- Dividing the supply of a product or service to a customer,
- Dividing customers for the supply of a product or service and bid-rigging.
There are many kinds of alleged price fixing. The most widely known is where cartels form to control a particular market in an anti-competitive way. Other less obvious kinds can be where certain information is shared between organisations, which lead to a much less competitive market. The regulations in this area are very complex.
Many businesses can stray into this, almost oblivious to the law or impact their particular practice is having.
Investigations of this nature are often brought by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) or the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) We know how to deal with the OFT and the SFO and understand their mindset. With this knowledge we are able to contest issues that arise where appropriate.
We are here to help
Our specialist criminal solicitors can assist in situations where you have been accused of such an offence.
Call us for a confidential consultation with a specialist solicitor today on 01642 247656 or on our 24/7 Emergency Helpline 01642 917175