About the OFT
Leniency
Cartels are the most serious form of anti-competitive agreement and the OFT has a special interest in ensuring they are uncovered and broken up.
Why should cartel members come forward?
The OFT is prepared to offer lenient treatment to businesses and individuals that come forward and report their involvement in cartel activity. Under our leniency programme, businesses that have participated in a cartel may have their financial penalty reduced substantially or they may be able to avoid a penalty altogether. The individuals concerned may also be able to avoid criminal prosecution.
To qualify for leniency, applicants must admit their involvement in unlawful cartel activity, cooperate fully with our investigation and stop their involvement in the cartel from the time they come forward.
Further information
See Cartels for further information, including on how to apply for leniency.
Further details of our leniency programme can be found in our publications on the OFT's procedures for handling leniency and no-action applications, the OFT’s guidance as to the appropriate amount of a penalty and the OFT’s guidance on the issue of no-action letters for individuals, available on the confess your cartel to the OFT page.
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Back to: Competition Act 1998
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