Evidence Standards in EU Competition Enforcement

What rules or principles govern the assessment of evidence in EU competition enforcement? This book offers, for the first time, a comprehensive academic study on the topic. Its aim is twofold. Firstly, it produces a typology of evidence standards in competition proceedings at the EU level, thereby systemising the guidance that is currently dispersed in the case-law of the EU Courts. Secondly, it examines the applicable evidence rules and principles with a view to better understanding their role in EU competition enforcement. In so doing, the book illustrates that evidence standards are not mere technicalities and their significance should not be underestimated. Rigorous and engaging, this work provides a much-needed analysis of a key question of EU competition enforcement.

Summary of Contents
1. Introduction
I. Evidence Matters in the Spotlight
II. A Simple Question, an Unclear Answer: What Standards Govern the Evaluation of Evidence?
III. Purpose, Approach and Scope
IV. Structure


2. Evidence Standards in EU Competition Enforcement: Autonomous, But Not Independent
I. Introduction
II. A Primer on Evidence Law and Theory
III. Evidence Standards and EU Competition Enforcement
IV. Conclusion


3. The Burden of Proof in EU Competition Enforcement
I. Introduction
II. The Concept of the Burden of Proof and its Significance
III. The Burden of Proof in Antitrust Cases
IV. The Burden of Proof in Merger Cases
V. Conclusion


4. The Standard of Proof in EU Competition Enforcement
I. Introduction
II. The Concept of the Standard of Proof and its Significance
III. The Main Reasons for the Ambivalence Over the Applicable Standard of Proof
IV. The Regulation of the Standard of Proof in Antitrust and Merger Cases
V. The Discharge of the Standard of Proof in EU Competition Enforcement
VI. Conclusion


5. Principles and Problems of Evidence Admissibility and Evaluation
I. Introduction
II. Principles Governing Evidence Admissibility and Evaluation in EU Competition Enforcement
III. Potential Shortcomings in the EU Courts' Approach to Evidence Admissibility
IV. Potential Shortcomings in the EU Courts' Approach to Evidence Evaluation
V. Conclusion


6. Presumptions in EU Competition Enforcement
I. Introduction
II. The Concept and Significance of Presumptions
III. Distinguishing Presumptions from Similar Devices in EU Competition Enforcement
IV. The Main Presumptions in EU Competition Enforcement
V. The Implications of the Presumptions Used in EU Competition Enforcement
VI. Conclusion


7. Evidence Standards and Standards of Judicial Review
I. Introduction
II. Standards of Judicial Review and Fairness Concerns
III. The Interplay between Evidence Standards and Standards of Judicial Review
IV. Conclusion
8. Reflections
I. Introduction
II. Some Connotations for the Enforcement System's Risk Proclivity
III. The Implications for Fairness
IV. The Connotations for the Application of the Substantive Rules
V. The Connotations for the EU Institutions
VI. The Implications for National Procedural Autonomy
VII. Conclusion

“Overall, this is a good, readable book which, due to its coverage, its focus and the approach adopted by the author, is going to make a significant contribution to this debate, both among academics and practitioners.” –  Arianna Andreangeli, Common Market Law Review

“All these intricacies and the various red lines throughout the book are drawn together in a series of reflections that show not only the amount of knowledge amassed in this book, but also the ability to take a step back and indeed observe competition law enforcement with feelings of bewilderment, awe, and interest. Anyone interested in the workings of competition law in practice as well as on the more abstract level should read this book and contemplate the knowledge and reflections found therein.” –  HHB Vedder, University of Groningen, Competition Law Review

“This is a very welcome addition to the prestigious Hart studies series on competition law. Both from a public and an academic perspective, the study addresses timely questions related to the most recent EU anti-trust fines and merger prohibitions. With the help of a systematic, far-ranging and detailed narrative of EU case law, Kalintiri develops a comprehensive typology for how evidence standards matter in EU competition proceedings.” –  Günter Walzenbach, University of the West of England, Journal of Common Market Studies