European Parliament Passes Directive on Antitrust Follow-on Damages Actions

The European Parliament today passed a new Directive on certain rules governing antitrust follow-on damages actions in the Member States of the European Union. The Directive, which follows a proposal by the European Commission, aims to encourage private enforcement of antitrust laws by facilitating follow-on damages actions in national courts of Member States of the European Union. Among others, the Directive introduces rules on the disclosure of evidence in such cases, as well as on the standing of indirect customers, the length of limitation periods, joint and several liability of infringers and the passing-on of damages as a possible defense. The Directive will contribute to the harmonization of European Member States’ legislation in this area.

The full text of the Directive will be available here.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of your regular contacts at the firm or any of the partners or counsel listed under “Antitrust and Competition” or “Litigation and Arbitration” in the “Practices” section of the website.