NCA's institutional design and enforcement strategies

Abstract

On 22nd - 23rd April 2016, 'ENTraNCE' for Executives held its third workshop. The event focused on institutional design of National Competition Authorities (NCAs) and their enforcement strategies. The workshop was divided into four panels, which dealt, respectively, with (i) the pros and cons of single- and multi-function competition authorities; (ii) advocacy, in particular in the context of the NCA's right to challenge anti-competitive regulations in national courts, and comment on draft legislations, (iii) settlements and remedies, and (iv) quantification of NCAs' enforcement and the imposition of sanctions. The workshop gathered different stakeholders together, which included representatives from NCAs, international organisations, academia, and industry, as well as law and consulting firms. The diversity of views ensured a lively debate. While participants agreed on various issues, the discussion revealed the need for further research on those issues that have not yet been sufficiently explored. This policy brief summarises the main points raised during the discussion and seeks to stimulate further debate.