| The Office Of Fair Trading (OFT) enforces consumer protection law and competition law.
The OFT has been very active in recent years investigating and prosecuting what it sees as cartels, price-fixing and market sharing.
The construction industry has been a main target. First was collusive tendering, then moving to tendering for public works contracts and cover pricing.
We have acted for many companies and their key personnel in these investigations, which are necessarily time pressured and very serious. We have several highly experienced business defence lawyers who are able to advise and represent your interests.
We offer expert defence in dealing with:
• OFT powers: dawn raids, notices to force documents to be handed over, interviews with directors and staff
under caution and when they can be compelled to provide information.
• Fines: under the Competition Act companies can be fined 10% of worldwide turnover for every financial year
involved.
• Leniency programme: negotiation of substantial reduction of potential fines by whistle blowing.
• Criminal prosecution: of directors and employees for serious cartels and bid-rigging (under the Enterprise Act)
resulting in imprisonment and disqualification as a director.
• Analysing large volumes of paper & electronic evidence, and interrogating computer records
• No Action Letters: immunity from criminal prosecution of individuals for cooperation and whistle blowing. |
