Cartels, Competition and Public Procurement
Cartels, Competition and Public Procurement

Author: Stefan Weishaar

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Published: 2013-01-01

Total Pages: 343

ISBN-13: 0857936751

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

ÔThis volume is long overdue. Integrated legal and economic analysis of competition law is crucial given the nature of the sector. However to carry this off successfully, one either needs intensive editorial work to bring different teams together; or one has to rely on the few who master both economic and legal analysis to a tee. Stefan WeishaarÕs analysis not only looks at a stubborn issue in competition law. He does so in three jurisdictions, in detailed yet clear fashion, with clear insight and ditto conclusions. Over and above its relevance to academic analysis, this book can go straight into competition authoritiesÕ decision making, and therefore also in compliance and remediation advice.Õ Ð Geert Van Calster, University of Leuven, Belgium Cartels, Competition and Public Procurement uses a law and economics approach to analyse whether competition and public procurement laws in Europe and Asia deal effectively with bid rigging conspiracies. Stefan Weishaar explores the ways in which economic theory can be used to mitigate the adverse effects of bid rigging cartels. The study sheds light on one of the vital issues for achieving cost-effective public procurement Ð which is itself a critical question in the context of the global financial crisis. The book comprehensively examines whether different laws deal effectively with bid rigging and the ways in which economic theory can be used to mitigate the adverse effects of such cartels. The employed industrial economics and auction theory highlights shortcomings of the law in all three jurisdictions Ð the European Union, China and Japan Ð and seeks to raise the awareness of policymakers as to when extra precautionary measures against bid rigging conspiracies should be taken. Students and researchers who have a keen interest in the relationship between law and economics, competition law and public procurement law will find this topical book invaluable. Practitioners can see how economic theory can be used to identify situations that lend themselves to bid rigging and policymakers will be informed about the shortcomings of existing legislation from a legal and economics perspective and will be inspired by approaches taken in different jurisdictions.

Cartels in Public Procurement
Cartels in Public Procurement

Author: Alberto Heimler

Publisher:

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 10

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Public procurement markets differ from all others because quantities do not adjust with prices, but are fixed by the bidding authority. As a result, there is a high incentive for organizing cartels (the price elasticity of demand is zero below the base price) that are quite stable because there are no lasting benefits for cheaters. In such circumstances leniency programs are unlikely to help discovering cartels. Since all public procurement cartels operate through some form of bid rotation, public procurement officials have all the information necessary (but they have to collect evidence on a number of bids) to discover them, contrary to what happens in normal markets where customers are not aware of the existence of a cartel. However in order to promote reporting, the structure of incentives has to change. For example, the money saved from a carte, should at least in part remain with the administration that helped discovering it and the reporting official should have some career advantages. In any case, competition authorities should create a channel of communication with public purchasers, so that they would know that informing the Authority on any suspicion they may have on bid rigging is easy and does not require them to provide a full proof.

Combatting Corruption and Collusion in Public Procurement
Combatting Corruption and Collusion in Public Procurement

Author: Robert D. Anderson

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2024-03-06

Total Pages: 385

ISBN-13: 0192882996

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

'Corruption' in public procurement typically involves procurement decisions taken in favour of preferred bidders in exchange for improper compensation (the acceptance of bribes, for example), while supplier collusion refers to a type of cartel activity, in which firms rig their bids in a tendering process. Although these practices are distinct, they frequently occur together in the public procurement context, reinforcing one another. Combatting Corruption and Collusion in Public Procurement: A Challenge for Governments Worldwide examines the causes of corruption and collusion in the public procurement sphere, its resulting harm, and how states can best try to combat these practices. This book provides a legal, economic, and practical analysis of issues concerning corruption and supplier collusion in public procurement, both generally and in seven diverse and representative jurisdictions: the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, Hungary and Poland, Ukraine, and Canada. It encompasses a discussion of both 'generic' cross-jurisdictional issues and specific proposals for individual jurisdictions. It offers practical guidance on building robust regimes for combatting corruption and collusion in public procurement and how to bolster and improve them when they are faltering. The book stresses the need for a multi-faceted and joined-up approach to the problems, emphasizing the importance both of enhanced investment in the effective enforcement of anti-corruption and cartel laws and of increasing the resilience of public procurement systems to corruption and collusion through a range of measures. The relevance of the topic to the social and economic well-being of citizens and the survival of democratic governance is highlighted throughout the book. Pioneering and comprehensive, Combatting Corruption and Collusion in Public Procurement provides a pathbreaking analysis of a range of global issues, making it an essential read for scholars, lawyers, government officials and representatives of international and non-governmental organizations around the world.

Regulating Cartels in Europe
Regulating Cartels in Europe

Author: Christopher Harding

Publisher:

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 439

ISBN-13: 0199551480

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

One of the most contentious and high-profile aspects of EU competition law and policy has been the regulation of those serious competition or antitrust violations now often referred to as 'hard core cartels'. Such cartel activity typically involves large and powerful corporate producers and traders operating across Europe and beyond, and comprise practices such as price fixing, bid rigging, market sharing, and limiting production in order to ensure 'market stability' and maintain and increase profits. There is little disagreement now, in terms of competition theory and policy at both international and national levels, regarding the damaging effect of such trading practices on public and consumer interests, and such cartels have been subject to increasing condemnation in the legal process of regulating and protecting competition. Regulating Cartels in Europe provides critical evaluation of the way in which European-level regulation has evolved to deal with the activities of such anti-competitive business cartels. They trace the historical development of cartel regulation in Europe, comparing the more pragmatic and empirical approached favored in Europe with the more dogmatic and uncompromising American policy on cartels. In particular, the work considers critically the move towards the use of fully fledged criminal proceedings in this area of legal control, examining evolving aspects of enforcement policy such as the use of leniency programs and the deployment of a range of criminal law and other sanctions. This new edition of the work covers emerging themes and arguments in the discipline, including the judicial review of decisions against cartels, the criminological and legal basis of the criminalization of cartel conduct, and the range and effectiveness of sanctions used in response to cartel activity.

Antitrust Law in Brazil
Antitrust Law in Brazil

Author: Eduardo Molan Gaban

Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.

Published: 2011-12-05

Total Pages: 448

ISBN-13: 9041142940

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book highlights the case of Brazil, a major economic player among developing countries. In seventeen years of enforcing the Brazilian Antitrust Law, Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defence (CADE) has achieved outstanding results and has been recognized as the most effective antitrust enforcement agency in the developing world. This book is the first to describe and analyse the workings and case law of the CADE, emphasizing the agency’s fundamental methodology and focusing on the contributory roles of such factors as the following: mechanisms and procedures of enforcement of the Antitrust Law in Brazil; methodologies (tests) used for antitrust assessment (for merger and conduct controls); evaluation of barriers to entry and rivalry in analysed markets; assessment of proof and circumstantial evidence within CADE case law and court decisions; examination of rational justifications for practices under investigation; legality of exchange of information; leniency agreements; cease and desist agreements; cultural issues and modifications; civil and criminal enforcement; private damages considerations; and the role of international and regional competition law regimes (OECD, UNCTAD, WTO, ICN, Mercosur). The book’s consolidated research on Brazil’s cartel investigations clearly describes the main defence theories and the courts’ decisions. The authors also explore the relationship of Brazil’s antitrust law to the country’s public policies in the areas of consumer rights, public procurement, and measures against corruption, with special emphasis on the synergies arising from antitrust law and consumer protection. It is worth noting that the studies carried out in this book discussed Law No. 8884/94 (Brazilian Antitrust Law) and the New Brazilian Antitrust Law, which was passed on 5 October 2011 and which will be enforced in 2012. With its unique synthesis of constitutional law, comparative antitrust law, and CADE’s case law, this book will be welcomed by competition lawyers and other parties interested in methods and procedures used in merger and conduct control, and especially in anti-cartel enforcement, in developing countries.

Cartels
Cartels

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 30

ISBN-13: 9781921581014

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

'This publication is written to assist procurement professionals understand cartel behaviour. It reviews the provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 that relate to your procurement practices by describing several types of prohibited, anti-competitive behaviour that can target your purchasing budget. It considers some steps you might take to maximise competition and save your organisation money, while also disrupting the possible operation of cartels by suppliers.' -- p. 2.

Global Competition Enforcement
Global Competition Enforcement

Author: Paulo Burnier da Silveira

Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.

Published: 2019-10-17

Total Pages: 311

ISBN-13: 9403502126

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Global Competition Enforcement New Players, New Challenges Edited by Paulo Burnier da Silveira & William Evan Kovacic In a short span of years, the landscape of global competition has changed significantly. In particular, international cooperation in competition law enforcement has greatly strengthened the battle against abuse of dominance, cartels, anticompetitive mergers and related political corruption. This thoroughly researched book explains the current situation regarding joint investigations, identifies common problems and considers possible solutions and future developments. In addition to covering issues of competition policy, its authors look in detail at practice in both merger and conduct investigations in a variety of countries. The following aspects of the subject and more are examined in depth: the interface between antitrust and anti-corruption; the digital economy’s challenges to competition authorities; convergent aims and rules among different competition authorities; regional organizations with competition mandates; competition neutrality and state-owned enterprises; and leniency programmes. Although necessarily there is considerable information on major antitrust regimes like those of the United States and the European Union, chapters by local experts highlight lessons to be learned from the work of competition authorities in five continents including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru and South Africa. The contributors include competition enforcers, regulators, academics, practitioners and leading commentators from a range of jurisdictions. Adding up to an authoritative analysis from the enforcer’s perspective, the studies presented in the book clarify the approaches and priorities of competition enforcement authorities – including those of major emerging economies – and provide expert guidance on dealing with transnational investigations. Antitrust lawyers, corporate counsel and interested academics as well as policymakers will benefit immeasurably from this book’s wealth of informative detail.