London, 21 January 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Baker & McKenzie announced today that it assisted Clariant in obtaining full immunity from fines, in respect of a European Commission (EC) cartel investigation in the MCAA industry. As a result of its successful immunity application Clariant did not receive a fine. The fines imposed on the other cartel participants in the MCAA case totalled €216.91 million.
As a result of Clariant’s Antitrust Compliance Programme Clariant discovered and immediately terminated in 1999 certain questionable activities in its MCAA business that had begun prior to its purchase of that business in 1997. Clariant then contacted the European Commission and provided information about these activities. At the same time Clariant also informed the Swiss Competition Commission about its discovery.
The Baker & McKenzie London team was led by Competition Partner Samantha Mobley with assistance from Competition Associates Helen Bardell and Sofia Bune.
Samantha Mobley said: “We are delighted with the extremely positive outcome for our client Clariant. In this investigation we managed to obtain full immunity in the EC. 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. This is the second case in the last 18 months in which we have succeeded in achieving total immunity from fines for a client involved in an EC investigation.”
