In 2002, the UK introduced a criminal competition law into the UK legal system for the first time since the 18th century. Using a range of analytical lenses, Mark Furse re-appraises this law ten years on, and provides an extensive analysis of its features.This invigorating work details the policy arguments behind the introduction of the law, and examines - through consideration of the successful prosecutions in the US - the extent to which the law in practice may be considered to have succeeded or failed in the UK. The role of the US as global antitrust policeman is also considered. The book concludes with a consideration of the difficulties facing the UK in choosing to pursue a criminal route within the current civil framework. Including full discussions of relevant literature relating to the criminalization of cartels, and the use of personal sanctions against cartelists, this book will appeal to postgraduates and advanced undergraduate students of competition law, competition law practitioners in the UK, EU and US, as well as competition law enforcement personnel. Contents: 1. Introduction 2. Criminalisation of Cartel Activity: Economics and Law 3. Criminalization in the United States 4. Criminalization in the UK: The Cartel Offense 5. Criminalization in Ireland 6. Case Studies 7. Conclusion Index

Following China's entry into the WTO in September 2001, it has been keen to establish itself among trading parties as a market economy. In recent years it has become one of the largest trading nations in the world, and is a source of substantial inward investment. In recognition of these developments, the government has undertaken a major overhaul and modernization of its competition law, superseding the outdated and disparate provisions previously in place, with new legislation in 2007. China's near neighbors, Vietnam and South Korea, likewise have vibrant economies and have had strong trading relationships with the west for many years. This book is the first to cover the practical implications of the developments in competition law in these countries.
It is aimed at practicing lawyers and company advisors, giving a clear description of the new antitrust law in China, the established antitrust law in Taiwan and Korea, and the underdeveloped law in Vietnam. It also considers developments in Hong Kong, which is in the process of introducing a general law of antitrust. The first part of the book gives a concise introduction to antitrust laws and policies in the jurisdictions covered, as well as an introduction to standards in antitrust law for those new to the area. China, Taiwan, Korea and Vietnam each have five chapters devoted to discussion of the regime in general, its institutional shape, the substantive laws relating to agreements, dominant or monopoly firm conduct, merger control and procedures. The relevant legislation is explained and the principles clarified by references to guidelines, practice and relevant decisions and cases. In the case of Hong Kong a single chapter discusses the proposals brought forward by the legislature. Particular attention is paid to the extent to which antitrust laws in each jurisdiction may be applied to parties who are not citizens in those jurisdictions.
This book is invaluable to lawyers advising clients engaging in international trade and commerce with and within these territories, and besides giving a clear explanation of the position of the law, it also contains translations of the core relevant legislation for each of the jurisdictions. Academics specializing in international competition law will find this a concise and informative text for consultation.

This text introduces the reader to the principles and practice of merger control in the EC and the UK. It deals clearly with both of the new regimes, providing a discussion of the policy and the relevant legislation, clarified through an analysis of pertinent cases and decisions. The aim is to provide the non-expert reader with a thorough and accessible introduction to the subject. The book deals first with matters common to both regimes, including relevant economics, and then focuses on the EC and UK systems as separate entities. In each case the text covers qualifying mergers, including principles of territorial jurisdiction, substantive tests, procedures, appeals, and third party rights, as well as the link between the UK and EC regimes. The book is up to date to 31 July 2006. Substantial appendices provide most of the relevant core legislation in one convenient place.

This book deals with the cartel offense introduced into UK law by the Enterprise Act 2002. It is now, for the first time, a criminal offense to operate certain cartel arrangements in the UK, and those found guilty of the offense face the prospect of fines and/or imprisonment. This presents new challenges for competition lawyers, who may not have expertise in criminal law, and criminal lawyers who are unlikely to have expertise in the complex substantive issues raised by competition law. This book addresses these issues, providing a guide to the workings of the provisions, explanations of the definitions set out in the Act, and an analysis of the relationship of the new offense with the existing UK and EC competition law. Human rights issues and practical considerations in the application of the relevant procedural law are also dealt with. Relevant OFT guidance and statutory provisions are published in the Appendix.