OREANDA-NEWS. September 15, 2011. Work with courts is the main direction of FAS efforts, stated the Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) Igor Artemyev reporting to the FAS Collegium about the results achieved in the first six months of 2011, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

In the first six months of 2011 the overall number of antimonopoly cases initiated by FAS and its regional offices reduced– 5 171 in comparison with 5 437 in the first six months of 2010.

The number of decisions made by the antimonopoly body and reversed by courts reached 10% of the appealed decisions. “This is one of the most important indicators”, said the Head of FAS. “Now we have absolutely amazing results: only every tenth decision is overturned at the final instance by courts. In my opinion it reflects our practice of broad discussions of antimonopoly enforcement in the press, at conferences, Expert Councils and our attitude to the business community”.

According to Igor Artemyev, work with courts will remain the major direction in FAS activities. Joint workshops, meetings, discussions – all of those will be important in light of the “third antimonopoly package”. “Starting from the next year we will, based on the amendments initiated by FAS, explain to our colleagues at courts which changes take place in the antimonopoly law”, pointed out Mr. Artemyev.

Total fines increased by nearly 30%: reaching in the first six months of 2011 over 12 billion Rubles, which demonstrates robust efforts of the Antimonopoly Service.

Of special concern is the number of fines that were imposed by the antimonopoly body but reversed by courts. “We have a big problem here”, pointed out Igor Artemyev. “By court rulings, turnover fines imposed by the antimonopoly body are reduced several times and even hundreds of times, and the size of fines drops below the statutory 1 %”. The Head of FAS sees a solution in correcting the norms of the Code on Administrative Violations, which would make imperative the norms that in no circumstances court may reduce fines below 1%.