In this issue, we explore a range of notable competition law developments across Europe and Asia, including a German Court's ruling confirming that managing directors may face personal liability for failing to prevent cartel conduct, and highlighting the importance of effective supervision and compliance measures. We also discuss the Italian Competition Authority’s decision in the TIM/FiberCop case, which illustrates how exclusivity clauses, discount schemes, and long-term access rights in the telecom sector can restrict competition, and how targeted commitments can address these concerns. Further, we report on the Spanish Supreme Court's ruling that Competition Authorities can impose and define public procurement bans; this ruling is expected to significantly strengthen enforcement beyond financial penalties. At EU level, the General Court’s judgment in Lantmännen reaffirms the legality of hybrid cartel procedures and sets a high threshold for companies’ claims of bias or breach of the presumption of innocence by the European Commission. Last, in Hong Kong, the Competition Tribunal clarified that facilitator liability must be pursued under a specific statutory regime, underscoring both procedural precision and the challenges of establishing intermediary involvement in cartel conduct.
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Key contacts
Dr Marcel Nuys
Partner, Germany and Brussels
Kyriakos Fountoukakos
Managing Partner, Competition/Antitrust, Regulation and Trade, Brussels
Veronica Roberts
Partner, Head of Competition/Antitrust, Regulation and Trade, UK, London
Souzanna Omran
Associate, Brussels
Dr Florian Huerkamp, MJur (Oxford)
Counsel, Germany
Francesca Morra
Partner, Milan
Luigi Caccamo
Associate, Milan
Henar González Durántez
Partner, Madrid
Pilar Carrasco
Senior Associate, Madrid
Gonzalo Sanz-Magallón
Associate, Madrid
Nicole Chow
Associate, Hong Kong
Adelaide Luke
Partner, Head of Competition, Asia, Hong Kong
Disclaimer
The articles published on this website, current at the dates of publication set out above, are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action.