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 that come forward with information about a cartel in which they are involved. Under our leniency programme, members of cartels may have their financial penalty reduced substantially or they may be able to avoid a penalty altogether.

To qualify for leniency, a business must cooperate fully with our investigation and stop their involvement in the cartel from the time they come forward.

Further information

See Cartels, including on how to ask for leniency and 'no-action letters' for individuals in respect of the criminal cartel offence.

Further details of our leniency programme can be found in our publication Leniency in cartel cases and in the more detailed OFT's guidance as to the appropriate amount of a penalty.

The OFT is also consulting on its draft final leniency and no-action guidance.

Back to: Competition Act 1998