Antitrust Law in Brazil: Fighting Cartels

In seventeen years of enforcing the Brazilian Antitrust Law, Brazil s Administrative Council for Economic Defence (CADE) has achieved outstanding results and has been recognized as the most effective antitrust enforcement agency in the developing world. This book is the first to describe and analyse the workings and case law of the CADE, emphasizing the agency s fundamental methodology and focusing on the contributory roles of such factors as the following: mechanisms and procedures of enforcement of the Antitrust Law in Brazil; methodologies (tests) used for antitrust assessment (for merger and conduct controls); evaluation of barriers to entry and rivalry in analysed markets; assessment of proof and circumstantial evidence within CADE case law and court decisions; examination of rational justifications for practices under investigation; legality of exchange of information; leniency agreements; cease and desist agreements; cultural issues and modifications; civil and criminal enforcement; private damages considerations; and the role of international and regional competition law regimes (OECD, UNCTAD, WTO, ICN, Mercosur).

The book s consolidated research on Brazil s cartel investigations clearly describes the main defence theories and the courts decisions. The authors also explore the relationship of Brazil s antitrust law to the country s public policies in the areas of consumer rights, public procurement, and measures against corruption, with special emphasis on the synergies arising from antitrust law and consumer protection. It is worth noting that the studies carried out in this book discussed Law No. 8884/94 (Brazilian Antitrust Law) and the New Brazilian Antitrust Law, which was passed on 5 October 2011, and which will be enforced in 2012.