Enforcement Inconsistency in EU Competition Cases as a Rule of Law Problem

Abstract

Enforcement of the EU competition rules, especially in relation to cartels and cartelists, involves a complex jurisdictional patchwork, characterise by inconsistency but also a strong public rhetoric which masks policy and practical differences, Application of the rules to different legal categories of actor, geographical and jurisdictional diversity, and the uneven use of enforcement measures and sanctions give rise to a number of rule of law issues in the form of inconsistent treatment, uncertainty and lack of proportionality. The discussion here maps out and illustrates these problems and suggests that these should be addressed through a more critical consideration of the claims made for deterrence as an enforcement imperative in this context.