Tesco's £250 million profits overstatement bombshell was brought to the attention of the GC and new Chief Executive by an internal whistleblower.  Adequate bribery procedures include 'speaking up' or whistleblowing reporting lines as key features of any organisation's bribery prevention policy.  And more than 70% of cartel investigations are triggered by whistleblowers seeking leniency.

In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority has continued the OFT's policy of offering a cash reward of £100,000 for cartel whistleblowers (although those directly responsible responsible for cartel activity will not be able to benefit).  For companies, confessing can deliver reductions or even immunity from fines.  Examples of recent leniency discounts granted by the OFT are set out below:

Dairy - retail price incentives

Participants Leniency applicant(s) Leniency discount Reason

9   

Asda

10%

Total immunity from fines in relation to a separate infringement of the rules in other, separate, markets.

 

RBS and Barclays - loan pricing

Participants

Leniency applicant(s)

Leniency discount

Reason

2 Barclays 100% Full immunity under leniency policy for whistle blowing.

 

Tobacco products - retail pricing

Participants Leniency applicant(s) Leniency discount Reason

12 

Sainsbury

100%

Full immunity under leniency policy for whistle blowing.
  T&S Stores 

40%

Fine reduced reflecting leniency granted to Tesco, who acquired T&S in 2003.
  Somerfield

30%

Fine reduction under leniency policy.
  Asda

10%

Total immunity from fines in relation to a separate infringement of the rules in other, separate markets.

 

Construction Recruitment – constructive refusal to supply and price fixing

Participants

Leniency applicant(s)

Leniency discount

Reason

7 Ransted 100% Full immunity under leniency policy for whistle blowing.
  Eden Brown 35% Fine reduction under leniency policy.
  CDI 30% Fine reduction under leniency policy
  Hays 30% Fine reduction under leniency policy
  Fusion People    25% Fine reduction under leniency policy
  Henry 25% Fine reduction under leniency policy

 

Construction industry – bid rigging

Participants

Leniency applicant(s)

Leniency discount

Reason

103 - 100% The OFT granted parties 100% reduction for any infringement that the OFT would not have known about but for the information provided by the leniency applicant.
    35%-65% Where the OFT had information about a particular infringement from a source other than the leniency applicant, a reduction of between 35% and 65% was granted.
    50% Five parties were granted a 50% reduction in fines in respect of infringements that the OFT had information about from another source.
    45% Penalties imposed on 14 parties were reduced by 45%.
    40% 40% reduction was granted to 11 parties.
    35% Three parties had their penalties reduced by 35%.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.