Corruption And Antitrust Law in Germany
Advice on corruption prevention and antitrust law violations by German lawyers
Cases of corruption and antitrust law violations cause large financial damages in German companies every year and, in extreme cases, can endanger livelihoods. In addition, there is the threat of
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considerable loss of reputation for the companies concerned,
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fines against companies, directors and employees,
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personal liability of directors and
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criminal sanctions, penalties and claims for damages by third parties.
What is considered corruption?
Corruption can be defined as the abuse of a position of power for one's own private benefit. Such a position of power may be, for example, the result of
- a public office,
- a function in the economy or
- a political mandate.
Abuse of such a position of power manifests itself, for example, through bribery or venality, corruptibility with regard to certain (also political) decisions motivated by a quid pro quo, or the attempt to gain (personal) advantages through bribes.
In (corporate) practice, corruption often manifests itself in international business transactions in business areas that are sensitive to bribery, favors to public officials or personal benefits that do not have to be directly related to the actual business. Bribery and corruption lawyers can help prevent violations of relevant German laws and acts.
What are the requirements of German antitrust law?
By definition, German antitrust law ensures fair competition and serves to ensure the standards of the free market economy. In addition, antitrust law should protect consumers by preventing collusion and agreements to their detriment. The core content is the prevention of agreements on prices, price changes and calculations as well as agreements among competitors on bidder and offer behaviour with tenders.
The development and integration of appropriate preventive measures in a functioning compliance management system are crucial in the context of antitrust compliance in the company.
Entrepreneurs are obliged to take supervisory measures
The company management is obliged to take appropriate supervisory and organizational measures that are suitable, necessary and reasonable regarding the prevention of criminal offences and compliance-relevant incidents such as antitrust violations. Monitoring and organizational systems must be in place to identify any developments at an early stage that could impair or jeopardize the continued existence of the company in order to prevent any compliance-relevant incidents and thus liability. Here, not only the liability of the companies themselves plays a decisive role but also the personal, unlimited liability of the managing directors.
Key consulting services on corruption prevention and antitrust violations
Our antitrust experts are at your disposal for topics relating to corruption and antitrust law in Germany with our comprehensive and practice-oriented concepts:
Core elements of corruption prevention:
- complex compliance management systems
- internal corruption guidelines
- customized control mechanisms
- guidelines and/or flowcharts for conducting forensic examinations
- whistleblower hotlines
- employee training on corruption
Prevention against antitrust violations:
- We support companies in both preventive antitrust compliance measures (from the development of a compliance management system to preventive coverage through D&O insurance as well as training courses on the prevention of antitrust law violations) and (extra-)judicial representation in the event of any antitrust law violations (including claims for damages and claims of recourse).
Our anti corruption lawyers and antitrust experts will gladly advise you on the concrete design of such effective organizational structures - depending on the individual risk situation, the scope, the content and the necessary resources - and will accompany you from the composition to the implementation and the further testing of existing systems and any adjustments.
Your anticorruption attorney in Germany
Would you like to prevent corruption in your company? Do you want to avoid antitrust law violations in order to prevent damage to your company? We will gladly provide you with advice and support regarding German antitrust law.
The best way to reach us is by e-mail (info@winheller.com) or by telephone (+49 69 76 75 77 85 30). Please feel free to contact us with your questions.
Do you need support?
Do you have questions about our services or would you like to arrange a personal consultation? We look forward to hearing from you! Please fill in the following information.
Or give us a call: +49 69 76 75 77 85 30