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ARTICLE · 04 AUGUST 2016

Antitrust Alert: Publicized Dawn Raid Evidences Australia's Vigorous Approach to Antitrust Investigations

Jones Day
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Early one morning in late July, 20 officers from the ACCC and the Australian Federal Police arrived at the premises.

AustraliaAntitrust/Competition Law
Nicolas Taylor
Nicolas Taylor
Prudence Smith
Prudence Smith
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A dawn raid on a high-profile target conducted last week by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) highlights this enforcer's recent aggressiveness in investigations. Use of such powerful tools to collect evidence is part of Australia's recent strategy on criminal prosecution of anticompetitive conduct and follows a number of significant trial and appellate victories and large penalties. It is notable that ACCC publicized this use of its search warrant powers, when in the past it rarely has commented on these confidential operations.

Background to this warrant

Early one morning in late July, 20 officers from the ACCC and the Australian Federal Police arrived at the premises. Armed with a warrant, the ACCC officers searched the offices, computers and servers for digital and paper evidence, continuing their work until well into the night.

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