The EU Court of Justice rules that the duration of an infringement in the case of bid-rigging ends once the essential characteristics of the public tender are determined (Eltel)

Introduction In its preliminary ruling of 14 January 2021, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) clarified that the duration of an infringement in the case of bid rigging ends once the essential characteristics of the public tender are determined – which in practice likely means at the signing date of the contract between the winner of the bid (who participated in the bid rigging) and the contracting authority. As such, this decision sets clear time-limits to competition authorities’ enforcement powers when prosecuting bid-rigging cartels. The CJEU provided this guidance in response to a preliminary question from the Supreme Administrative Court of Finland. Facts leading to the preliminary question In April 2007, the Finnish national electricity transmission operator

Access to this article is restricted to subscribers

Already Subscribed? Sign-in

Access to this article is restricted to subscribers.

Read one article for free

Sign-up to read this article for free and discover our services.

 

PDF Version

Authors

  • Covington & Burling (Brussels)
  • Covington & Burling (London)
  • Covington & Burling (Brussels)

Quotation

Johan Ysewyn, Kevin Coates, Daniel Muheme, The EU Court of Justice rules that the duration of an infringement in the case of bid-rigging ends once the essential characteristics of the public tender are determined (Eltel), 14 January 2021, e-Competitions Utilities & Cartels, Art. N° 98984

Visites 186

All issues

  • Latest News issue 
  • All News issues
  • Latest Special issue 
  • All Special issues