Hong Kong Competition Commission Releases Leniency Guidelines

On September 23, the Hong Kong Competition Commission (HKCC) released a draft of its " Leniency Policy for Undertakings Engaged in Cartel Conduct."  The draft specifies when the HKCC will refrain from pursuing monetary penalties against an entity in exchange for that entity's cooperation.  The HKCC was created when Hong Kong's Legislative Council passed a competition ordinance in 2012.  The Competition Ordinance applies to any agreement that has the object or effect of preventing, restricting, or distorting competition in Hong Kong, even if the parties and concerted activity are outside of Hong Kong.  Over the past three years, the HKCC has slowly released guidelines related to the implementation of the Ordinance.  With the release of the leniency policy, the HKCC is on track to begin enforcing the Competition Ordinance in mid-December 2015.