Leniency in Antitrust Enforcement: Theory and Practice

47 Pages Posted: 24 Oct 2006 Last revised: 27 Nov 2013

See all articles by Wouter P. J. Wils

Wouter P. J. Wils

King's College London - The Dickson Poon School of Law; European Union - European Commission

Abstract

This paper discusses the theory and practice of leniency in antitrust enforcement, i.e. the granting of immunity from penalties or the reduction of penalties for antitrust violations in exchange for cooperation with the antitrust enforcement authorities. After a description of the practice of leniency in the US and in the EU, and of its history, the paper analyses the positive effects and the possible negative effects of leniency on optimal antitrust enforcement, and the extent to which these effects can be measured. Objections of principle and institutional problems that may constitute obstacles to the introduction of leniency policies are discussed, as well as some further issues, namely the impact on the effectiveness of leniency of criminal penalties on individuals, of follow-on private damages actions, and of penalties in other jurisdictions, "Amnesty Plus," and positive financial rewards or bounties.

Keywords: antitrust, cartels, leniency, immunity, enforcement, penalties

JEL Classification: K21, K42, L40, L49

Suggested Citation

Wils, Wouter P. J., Leniency in Antitrust Enforcement: Theory and Practice. World Competition: Law and Economics Review, Vol. 30, No. 1, March 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=939399

Wouter P. J. Wils (Contact Author)

King's College London - The Dickson Poon School of Law

Somerset House East Wing
Strand
London, WC2R 2LS
United Kingdom

European Union - European Commission ( email )

Brussels, B-1049
Belgium

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