Baker & McKenzie announced today that it succeeded in obtaining full immunity for its client, Chisso Corporation, in respect of a European Commission (EC) cartel investigation in the sorbates industry. As a result of its successful immunity application, Chisso Corporation did not receive a fine. The fines imposed on the other cartel participants totalled €138.4 million.
Chisso informed the EC about the cartel in autumn 1998 under the EC’s Leniency Policy immediately upon becoming aware of the possibility of anti-competitive practices involving its sorbates operations . The Policy enables companies to obtain full immunity under certain circumstances if they are the first to provide the EC with evidence of a cartel.
The Baker & McKenzie team was led by Samantha Mobley (EU & Antitrust Partner), in London and Patrick Ahern (Antitrust Partner) in Chicago, with assistance from London EU & Antitrust Associate, Marta Garcia.
Samantha Mobley said: “We are delighted with the outcome of this EC investigation for our client, Chisso, which is one of only four companies ever to have successfully gained full immunity under the EC’s 1996 Leniency Policy. This outcome would not have been possible without the benefit of the experience of our international cartel practice, which is currently defending clients in over 20 cartel investigations worldwide.”
