Dawn Raids: Unannounced Visits To Corporations By Authorities

Recent surprise inspections conducted by the European Commission (hereafter referred to as the "Commission") at the premises of companies active in the grocery sector in France have brought back the spotlight on the growing powers of competition authorities to conduct unannounced inspections. Amidst growing concern of the economic risks of cartels and abuse of market power, competition authorities have adopted a more aggressive enforcement policy with surprise inspections often acting as the first investigative step.

In fact, alongside the powers of the Commission to conduct surprises on-site inspections, often referred to as 'dawn raids', certain national authorities have similar competences. Specifically, in Cyprus, the national authorities which have the power to conduct such inspections are: