Competition

Regulatory action against anti-competitive behaviour is increasing within the UK, Europe and globally.  Dawn raids are on the increase and penalties for non-compliance are often severe, including large fines, disqualification of directors and imprisonment.

Securing immunity under regulators' leniency regimes is increasing the number of whistleblower reports being made and thus having the desired effect of destabilising established anti-competitive arrangements.  This regulatory stance presents companies with major challenges in ensuring robust compliance, responding to attention from the regulator should it arise, and dealing with the litigation aftermath.

In Forensic Services we are working closely with our clients to address these challenges in the following areas:

• Dawn raids and regulatory information requests – Forensically capturing, processing, reviewing and presenting electronic evidence such as e-mail, for legal advisors and clients.  We also undertake e-mail screening to identify potential anti-competitive activity;
• Investigations – establishing the nature and extent of anti-competitive behaviour, using our tried and tested investigations methodologies;
• Expert advice - providing expert accounting advice in competition related claims.  This often involves working closely with our highly regarded Competition Economics team;
• Compliance reviews - investigating compliance activities; and
• Due diligence - working with our due diligence specialists to identify and manage the risk of acquiring non-compliant targets.