Online Conference on Cartels and the Pandemic: Latest Trends and Criminal Implications

The number of identified cartels and the number of criminal cases initiated over suggested crimes provided by Article 178 of the Russian Criminal Code (Restriction on Competition) against top managers of major companies have recently soared.

Amid the spread of the coronavirus infection, the FAS Russia has switched to daily monitoring of prices at retail chains and non-chain shops in order to get the best results in the fight against the developing unfair competition practices.

Other control measures include the debated “draft anti-cartel law”, which has already passed the first reading and shall strengthen responsibility for restriction on competition by way of entering into agreements, the more so in governmental procurement. 

Those amendments are likely to bring closer attention of the law-enforcement authorities to businesses.

At the online conference, attorneys of EPAM and representatives of the FAS Russia are to discuss what steps taken by bidders shall be qualified as anti-competitive ones, what the practice of identifying and proving of cartel agreements, as well as of investigation of crimes related to restriction on competition, there is.

The online conference is to be held on June 30, 2020 from 10:00 to 12:00.

The event is open for CEOs and deputies, CLOs, CBOs and CFOs, chief accountants and other top managers of large and medium-sized companies.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:

• Antimonopoly trends during the pandemic: the effect of investigations into the price growths
• Proof trends: can it be argued today that standards of proof of collusive agreements are in place?
• How do digital economy tools help in identifying and preventing collusive bidding
• Liaising with law-enforcement authorities and cartel prosecution trend: guidelines for top managers
• FAS Russia’s “draft anti-cartel law”: would the rules of the game change?

Moderator: 

• Denis GAVRILOV, Competition Counsel at EPAM.

Speakers:

• Andrey TENISHEV, Head of the Cartel Directorate at the FAS Russia
• Victoria BURKOVSKAYA, Partner heading White Collar Crime Practice at EPAM
• Andrey TUZOV, Senior White Collar Crime Associate at EPAM

At the end of the online conference, the speakers are to answer the questions from the attendees.

PROCEDURE FOR ATTENDANCE AND REGISTRATION**: 

Attendance is free of charge.

Advance registration is required:

Please register, specify your business email address, position and contacts.

We will send the connection details to each confirmed attendee shortly before the event.

Contacts: Natalia Nikulina and Elmira Smirnova, +7 (495) 935 80 10, events@epam.ru.

* The program is subject to amendments.
** The event is off-limits for law and consulting firms, private lawyers and attorneys. The organizers reserve the right to deny attendance.