Competition Law, Public Enforcement Authorities and Private Parties: Towards a More Effective Interrelationship

本研究的重点是宽大处理方案的有效性。尽管宽大处理方案得到了执法机构的积极支持，认为它是针对卡特尔执行竞争法的最佳工具，但执法机构需要考虑几个因素。公司可能不会因为宽大处理计划的存在而却步。换句话说，即使有了宽大处理计划，卡特尔也会形成。宽大处理计划往往被用来惩罚卡特尔中的一个成员，除非该卡特尔已经在国外曝光。尽管存在这些担忧，但宽大处理计划可能有助于执法机构获得非法卡特尔活动的证据。

This research has focused on the effectiveness of the leniency programs. Even though the leniency program is actively supported by enforcement agencies as the best tool to enforce competition law against cartels, there are several elements that the enforcement agencies need to take into consideration. Firms may not be deterred by the existence of a leniency program. In other words, even with a leniency program, cartel will be formed. Leniency programs tend to be used to punish one of the cartel members, unless the cartel has been exposed abroad. Despite these concerns, a leniency program may facilitate obtaining evidence of the illegal cartel activity for the enforcement agencies.