Competition investigations

It can carry out on-site searches of premises (“Dawn Raids”) and can use a variety of surveillance powers including the covert monitoring of telephone calls and emails or “bugging” offices or other premises.

Undertakings found to infringe the UK Competition Rules can be fined up to 10% of worldwide turnover.  The CMA may also seek the disqualification of Directors under the provisions of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.  In addition, the CMA has power to issue criminal prosecutions against Directors and other individuals leading to terms of imprisonment of up to 5 years and/or unlimited fines in the case of deliberate infringements of the Cartel Rules.