Fault in EU Law Based Competition Restriction Damages Cases

Final version published in the Global Competition Litigation Review 2015

MAASTRICHT EUROPEAN PRIVATE LAW INSTITUTE WORKING PAPER No. 2014/16

24 Pages Posted: 7 Aug 2014 Last revised: 26 Apr 2015

Date Written: July 14, 2014

Abstract

This article discusses fault as a (possible) condition for awarding damages in the context of claims for compensation relating to infringing EU competition law. Private damages cases are heard by the national courts, which must find the relevant legal norms amongst a floating mass of EU law and national law. It is submitted that current EU law, that is, mainly case-law, does not in principle prevent applying national law that sets a requirement of fault or of proving fault – intention or negligence – by the infringer. What the detailed content of the applicable combination of EU law and national law is and what constitutes relevant EU law that should be taken into account by the national courts are, however, more intricate questions.

Keywords: EU competition law; Private enforcement; Damages claims; Directive on competition infringement damages claims; Fault; Negligence; Excusable infringement; Ignorance of facts; Ignorance of law; National courts; Applicable law; Issues of applicable law unaffected by the future Directive

Suggested Citation

Havu, Katri, Fault in EU Law Based Competition Restriction Damages Cases (July 14, 2014). Final version published in the Global Competition Litigation Review 2015, MAASTRICHT EUROPEAN PRIVATE LAW INSTITUTE WORKING PAPER No. 2014/16, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2465912 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2465912

Katri Havu (Contact Author)

University of Helsinki ( email )

Faculty of Law
Yliopistonkatu 3, P.O. Box 4
Helsinki, FIN-00014
Finland

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