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ARTICLE · 04 JANUARY 2008

OFT Brings First Criminal Cartel Charges Against Individuals

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang
Explore more from CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang

On 19 December 2007 the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) announced that three UK businessmen have been charged with criminal cartel offences under the Enterprise Act 2002. This is the first time that such charges have been brought since the introduction of the criminal cartel offence in 2003.

United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Susan Hankey
Susan Hankey
David Marks
David Marks

On 19 December 2007 the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) announced that three UK businessmen have been charged with criminal cartel offences under the Enterprise Act 2002. This is the first time that such charges have been brought since the introduction of the criminal cartel offence in 2003. The maximum penalty for the criminal cartel offence is five years prison term and/or an unlimited fine.

The charges concern an alleged cartel for marine hose, which is used by the oil and defence industries for transporting oil between tankers and storage facilities.

The individuals, together with nationals from other countries, were arrested in Houston USA while attending an industry conference. They pleaded guilty to violations of US antitrust law. The individuals were allowed to return to the UK to face charges as part of a plea bargain agreement with the US Department of Justice (DoJ). They were arrested on arrival

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