The Association of Antimonopoly Experts and Corporate Counsel Association discussed joint work with FAS in 2016

In the near future a survey will be conducted of representatives of the legal and business community regarding the efforts of the antimonopoly authority

Anna Numerova, Chair of the General Council of the Association of Antimonopoly Experts, and Alexandra Nesterenko, President of “Corporate Counsel Association” Non-Profit Partnership, made reports of cooperation with the Antimonopoly Service at the extended session of FAS Collegium on 1 March 2017.

According to Anna Numerova, the Association has sent questionnaires to the business communities (the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Business RUSSIA, OPORA Russia, and others) to evaluate the key areas of FAS work on the basis of the results achieved in 2016.

She pointed out the antimonopoly authority created a successful “quasi-judicial system” based on contestability. “We very much appreciate FAS efforts undertaken prior to opening cases”, continued Anna Numerova. “Expanding the institution of warnings has become an efficient mechanism in this part”.

She also emphasized the need to draft explanations on using confidential information in investigations of antimonopoly cases.

Alexandra Nesterenko, President of “Corporate Counsel Association” Non-Profit Partnership discussed various formats of lawyers’ interaction with FAS under the frame of the Agreement on Cooperation. For instance, FAS leadership takes part in Forums and Round Tables organized by the Association, and members of the Corporate Counsel Association give their opinions to be included in the report on the state of competition and speak out on draft regulations devised by FAS.

“2016 passed under the sign of eager and fruitful work on devising explanations of FAS Presidium and a joint Working Group of FAS and the Corporate Counsel Association”, reminded Alexandra Nesterenko. “Due to the new explanations, the legal certainty of the actions of economic entities will increase”.  

Another speaker at the Collegium was an auditor of the Audit Chamber of the Russian Federation, Maxim Rokhmistrov. He discussed enforcement of the Law on Contractual System and outlined the existing issues in the public procurement system. Maxim Rokhmistrov also thanked the antimonopoly body for the completed work and expressed hope for future productive cooperation.