ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the developed forms of international cooperation between national competition authorities (NCAs) through transnational competition networks (TCNs). The exchange of experience between NCAs, the formation of acquaintances among their staff, the adoption of common standards and the coordination of guidelines and practices are not ends in themselves, but predominantly serve to enhance the qualifications of NCAs and their staff, and to improve the public enforcement of competition law. Developed cooperation has gradually evolved into regular international cooperation among NCAs. TCNs are an important facilitator of developed cooperation, providing assistance in, and often a framework for, sustaining selected or all forms (depending on the type of network) of developed cooperation for members. The chapter analyses developed forms of cooperation between NCAs within TCNs. It discusses issues such as establishing contact points for international cooperation; informing foreign NCAs about the initiation of proceedings; exchanging unclassified and protected information and evidence; reporting on administrative actions in another jurisdiction; providing informal and formal mutual assistance; refraining from, suspending or discontinuing proceedings; coordinating and reconciling administrative actions and decisions of NCAs; and allocating cases between national and transnational competition authorities.
