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Description

Competition Authority: Understanding Its Powers, Preventing and Responding

Know what the competition authority can request, investigate and sanction before you ever face it

  • 1 day — 7 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

An exchange of information between competitors at a trade exhibition, a poorly calibrated distribution clause, a pricing practice aligned with a neighbour's: risky behaviour far more often stems from lack of awareness than from intent. Commercial teams do not always recognise what, in their everyday practices, may be characterised as a cartel arrangement or an abuse of market power.

This short format sets out the role of the competition authority, the scope of its investigative powers and the sanctions that may be imposed. It gives exposed teams the right reflexes and defines the conduct to adopt should inspectors arrive on company premises.

Learning objectives

  • Position the role of the competition authority and how it interacts with other regulators
  • Identify practices likely to be characterised as anti-competitive agreements or abuse of a dominant position
  • Recognise high-risk professional situations in dealings with competitors
  • Adopt the correct conduct during an inspection by investigators
  • Contribute to the internal framework for preventing competition risk

What makes this programme different

The reflexes to apply during an inspection are rehearsed minute by minute
The cases studied start from ordinary commercial situations rather than headline cartels
The messages intended for front-line teams are drafted at the end of the session

Programme

1The Authority and Its Powers

Who oversees what, and with which means

  • Remit of the competition authority and the scope of its intervention
  • Interaction with regional and international regulators and with the courts
  • How matters are referred and how a procedure unfolds
  • Investigative powers and interim measures

2High-Risk Practices

Recognising what is prohibited in day-to-day commercial life

  • Agreements between competitors and exchanges of sensitive information
  • Abuse of a dominant position and exclusionary practices
  • Vertical restraints within distribution networks
  • Areas of vigilance in trade associations and at exhibitions
  • Warning signals a salesperson must act upon

3Prevent and Respond

Getting ready before the inspection

  • Sanctions faced by the company and by individuals
  • Leniency and settlement mechanisms
  • Conduct to adopt from the moment investigators arrive on site
  • Building a competition compliance programme that is genuinely useful to teams

Who is it for

In-house counsel and compliance officers, as well as sales directors, marketing managers, buyers and company executives.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.