The presumption of innocence in the EU competition law

Abstract

This Bachelor thesis aims to analyse the application of the presumption of innocence in the EU competition law, more precisely in the anti-cartel proceedings. In addition, this thesis will provide the analysis of the categorisation of the competition law. This, in turn, is a topical debate due to the fact that in competition law the penalties are comparable to criminal charges notwithstanding the administrative procedure. The thesis will try to answer the question “To what extent is the presumption of innocence applied in the EU anti-cartel procedure?”. This paper's primary objective is to identify the procedural rights of cartel members, analyse their implementation, and emphasise any potential restrictions of those rights that cartel participants may experience during anti-cartel procedures.