A new directive approved by the Council of the European Union this week will make it easier for companies or other victims of antitrust violations to seek damages anywhere in the 28-member bloc.
The directive, already approved by European Parliament in April, harmonizes antitrust damages laws throughout the 28 Member States and will enable victims of cartel activity to receive compensation for both actual loss and lost profits. Lawmakers said under the previous rules, the right to compensation was guaranteed, but in practical terms very difficult to obtain due to differences among the Member States and national court systems.
