The OFT currently has 15 Competition Act or criminal cartel cases open. On this page you can find information on the Competition Act and related investigations, decisions, consultations and case closure summaries, where those cases are in the public domain. Find out what constitutes a cartel, how to complain about one, and how a business could be granted immunity from prosecution if they inform the OFT of their involvement.
The OFT urges any person with information on cartels or price fixing to telephone the cartels hotline on 0800 0851664 or email cartelshotline@oft.gsi.gov.uk in strictest confidence.
Use this section to gain background knowledge of the work that the OFT does around competition and cartels.
Find out what constitutes a cartel, how to complain about one, and how a business could be granted immunity from prosecution if they inform the OFT of their involvement.
Under the Competition Act 1998 and Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), cartels are prohibited.
Any business found to be a member of a cartel could be fined up to 10 per cent of its worldwide turnover.
Under the Enterprise Act 2002, the cartel offence - a criminal offence for individuals who dishonestly engage in cartel agreements - will operate alongside the existing Competition Act 1998 regime. It will deter individuals against engaging in cartel activity and supplement the deterrent provided by the threat of financial penalties under the Competition Act for the undertakings involved.
Enterprise Act - cartel offence (pdf 125 kb)
Current cases
Completed cases
Guidance on competition law compliance.
Information on current Competition Act cases.
When carrying out investigations under the Competition Act, we focus on outcomes that add value to both markets and consumers through effective prioritisation, investigation and improved legal certainty. We will use the entire range of policy and enforcement instruments available to the OFT in tackling problems within markets.
Information on completed Competition Act cases, decisions, consultations and case closure summaries.
Recently completed
The OFT commenced a one-year trial of a Procedural Adjudicator role on 21 March 2011.
The Procedural Adjudicator, during the one-year trial period, is Jackie Holland, Director of Competition Policy. The purpose of the trial is to provide a swift, efficient and cost-effective mechanism for resolving disputes between parties and the case teams in Competition Act 1998 investigations.
Useful links:
Procedural Adjudicator decisions:
Information on completed Short-form opinions.
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