{"id":1868,"date":"2026-08-06T14:41:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T12:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/galen.de\/?page_id=1868"},"modified":"2026-08-10T10:40:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T08:40:42","slug":"corruption-and-competition-criminal-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/galen.de\/en\/rechtsgebiete\/wirtschaftsstrafrecht\/korruptions-und-wettbewerbsstrafrecht\/","title":{"rendered":"Anti-Corruption and Competition Law"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1868\" class=\"elementor elementor-1868\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6acff9f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6acff9f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b14b524 red-underline elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b14b524\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Criminal risks for companies and executives<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corruption and competition law is a core area of white-collar crime. Investigations into bribery, corruption, granting of undue advantages to a public official, or anti-competitive agreements can have significant legal and economic consequences for companies, board members, and senior employees.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free competition is the fundamental principle of the social market economy. For this reason, the Act Against Unfair Competition (UWG) and antitrust law contain various provisions \u2013 including penal provisions \u2013 to prevent unfair manipulation of market decisions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The corruption of public officials damages citizens&#039; trust in the integrity of government decision-makers. Therefore, the penal code contains specific offenses for corruption in office. &quot;Corruption&quot; is not an explicit term in criminal law; rather, the law refers to the acceptance and granting of advantages, as well as bribery and corruption.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our team at Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte advises and defends clients nationwide in matters of corruption and competition law. Our lawyers possess many years of forensic experience and an in-depth understanding of compliance structures. Based on this foundation, we develop a defense strategy tailored to your needs, taking into account criminal, corporate, and economic aspects.<\/span><\/p><h2>Overview of Corruption and Competition Criminal Law<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The central offenses under corruption and competition law include, in particular:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Section 298 of the German Criminal Code<\/strong> \u2013 Anti-competitive agreements in tenders,\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Section 299 of the German Criminal Code<\/strong> \u2013 Bribery and corruption in business transactions,\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Section 299a of the German Criminal Code<\/strong> \u2013 Bribery in the healthcare sector,<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u00a7\u00a7 331\u2013335 StGB<\/strong> \u2013 Corruption offenses in office (acceptance of advantages, granting of advantages, bribery, bribery of public officials).\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>In addition, the law on the protection of trade secrets (GeschGehG) can have criminal relevance if business and trade secrets are betrayed in the course of a corruption offense.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sanctioned behavior has a significant impact on the economy. Price fixing under Section 298 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) and the granting of undue advantages under Section 299 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) or Sections 331 et seq. of the German Criminal Code (StGB) can distort markets, influence public contracts, and permanently damage trust in economic processes.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The corruption offenses committed in office, as defined in Sections 331\u2013335 of the German Criminal Code (StGB), pertain to the public service. Although both categories of offenses are discussed under the term &quot;corruption,&quot; their objectives differ: While offenses committed in office protect the integrity of the public service and public trust in it, i.e., the proper functioning of the state administration, offenses committed in commercial transactions\u2014particularly those in Section 299 of the German Criminal Code (StGB)\u2014aim to protect free competition and thus the market economy as a whole.<\/span><\/p><h2>Anti-competitive agreements in tendering processes (\u00a7 298 StGB)<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agreements between companies aimed at deceiving the contracting authority about the actual competitive situation are punishable offenses. The protected legal interest is free competition in procurement procedures. This offense covers bids in open and restricted tenders as well as negotiated procedures following a prequalification phase; however, direct award of contracts without prior competition is not covered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typical manifestations include price fixing or coordinated sham offers. Alongside criminal proceedings under Section 298 of the German Criminal Code (StGB), fines under antitrust law and substantial civil claims for damages are possible.<\/span><\/p><h2>Bribery and corruption in commercial transactions (\u00a7 299 StGB)<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bribery in commercial transactions occurs when an employee or agent of a company demands, solicits, or accepts a benefit for themselves or a third party in return for unfairly favoring another person in certain business decisions (so-called competition-related corruption, Section 299 Paragraph 1 No. 1 of the German Criminal Code) or for performing or refraining from an action (so-called duty-related corruption, Section 299 Paragraph 1 No. 2 of the German Criminal Code). Conversely, criminal bribery in commercial transactions occurs when a benefit is offered, promised, or granted for such purposes (Section 299 Paragraph 1 No. 2, Paragraph 2 No. 2 of the German Criminal Code). The bribed person must be an employee or agent of a company; company owners are not covered by this offense.<\/span><\/p><h3>Conditions for the illegal agreement<\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The central point of reference is the so-called unlawful agreement: the advantage and the preferential treatment must be reciprocal. At least a tacit understanding is required that the advantage serves as consideration for future unfair preferential treatment. Criminal proceedings therefore regularly revolve around the question of whether there was an intention to influence a specific preferential treatment in competition or within a company.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to know that, unlike the official offenses under Sections 331 and 333 of the German Criminal Code (StGB), Section 299 requires that the unlawful agreement be directed towards the future. A subsequent &quot;thank you&quot; without prior reference to a specific favor is generally not punishable. Distinguishing between these offenses requires careful legal examination in each individual case.<\/span><\/p><h3>Distinction from permissible business relationships<\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preferential treatment is only considered unfair if it violates the principles of fair business practice. This depends on market conformity, transparency, and a factual connection to the business relationship. Discounts, advertising cost subsidies, or industry-standard invitations can therefore be perfectly permissible. The line between permissible and criminal conduct is fluid and always depends on the circumstances of the individual case.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h2>Corruption offenses in office (\u00a7\u00a7 331 ff. StGB)<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corruption offenses committed in public office include accepting and granting undue advantages, as well as bribery and corruption of public officials. These laws protect the integrity and functionality of public administration, as well as public trust in it.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For companies, situations involving government permits, funding procedures, or procurement decisions are particularly relevant. A key difference from Section 299 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) is that, in the case of official misconduct, even a benefit &quot;for the performance of official duties&quot; is sufficient \u2013 without reference to a specific official act. &quot;Grooming&quot; \u2013 the systematic cultivation of goodwill through initially small tokens of appreciation \u2013 is already a criminal offense. The legal classification is therefore complex and requires particular care.<\/span><\/p><h2>How are corruption and competition crimes uncovered?<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investigations often begin with internal tips, compliance reporting bodies, or anonymous whistleblowers. Searches conducted as part of antitrust investigations can also lead to criminal proceedings. Furthermore, public procurement agencies can report suspicious activities.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The public prosecutor&#039;s office regularly collaborates with customs, antitrust authorities, and specialized economic crime units of the police. Typical investigative measures include searches, the seizure of extensive digital data sets, the confiscation of communication equipment, and asset freezes.<\/span><\/p><h2>What penalties and collateral consequences are threatened under corruption and competition criminal law?<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The penalties vary depending on the offense:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Section 298 of the German Criminal Code<\/strong>: Imprisonment for up to five years or a fine.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Section 299 of the German Criminal Code<\/strong>: Imprisonment for up to three years or a fine; in particularly serious cases (\u00a7 300 StGB) a higher penalty may apply.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u00a7\u00a7 331\u2013335 StGB<\/strong>Penalties range from a fine to three or five years&#039; imprisonment; in particularly serious cases, up to ten years&#039; imprisonment.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>At the same time, companies face substantial fines under the Administrative Offenses Act, especially if a manager violates a supervisory duty (\u00a7 130 OWiG in conjunction with \u00a7 30 OWiG).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Associated offenses: Corruption cases are often accompanied by fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion.<\/span><\/p><p><strong>In addition to the main penalty, the following secondary consequences are possible:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confiscation of assets pursuant to Sections 73 et seq. of the German Criminal Code (StGB) \u2013 assets can be secured by seizure even during the preliminary investigation.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Entries in the Federal Central Register<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional bans<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Civil claims for damages from competitors or clients<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>In the area of public procurement, the competition register plays a significant role under the Competition Register Act (WRegG). Certain legally binding convictions \u2013 for example, under Section 298 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) \u2013 are recorded there and can lead to exclusion from procurement procedures. Furthermore, even the ongoing investigation itself can pose considerable risks to a company&#039;s reputation and thus indirectly lead to consequences under procurement law.<\/span><\/p><h2>Criminal defense in corruption and competition law \u2013 advice and representation by Galen Lawyers<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An accusation in corruption and competition law requires early and strategic defense \u2013 whether you are affected as a private individual, executive, or company. We immediately review the case file and analyze the legal elements of the offense. We advise you on exercising your right to remain silent, accompany you during searches, and develop a defense strategy that also considers potential consequences under procurement, employment, and corporate law.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on our experience in compliance consulting and internal investigations, we also support you in the structured analysis of the facts. Our goal is to protect your personal and business interests.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The earlier criminal defense lawyers are involved, the more scope there is to actively shape the defense strategy.<\/span><\/p><p>Please contact us to arrange an appointment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90a7900 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"90a7900\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/galen.de\/en\/#kontakt\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Contact<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d4964c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6d4964c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff3870e red-underline elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ff3870e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-no-translation=\"\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>.elementor-element-ff3870e{display:none !important}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-430f437 uael-faq-box-layout-yes align-at-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-uael-faq\" data-id=\"430f437\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"uael-faq.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div id='uael-faq-wrapper-703' class=\"uael-faq-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-faq-container uael-faq-layout-accordion\" data-layout=\"accordion\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-6b79aef\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-6b79aef uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-1-6a8191d6ec0eb\">What is meant by corruption in business transactions?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corruption in business transactions refers to the unfair influencing of certain business decisions through the granting or acceptance of a benefit. Not every benefit is punishable, but only those agreed upon as consideration for a specific favor. The decisive factor is the existence of a so-called unlawful agreement.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-8183eaa\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-8183eaa uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-2-6a8191d6ec18c\">When is inviting or sponsoring third parties a criminal offense?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Invitations or sponsorships are not inherently illegal. However, the threshold for criminal liability is reached when such measures are intended to influence specific business decisions. Indications of this include, among other things, unreasonably generous invitations or the covert processing of payments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-36f9a7b\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-36f9a7b uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-3-6a8191d6ec1de\">What constitutes a criminal anti-competitive agreement in tenders?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anti-competitive agreements in public tenders are coordinated behaviors by bidders aimed at manipulating competition. Typical examples include price fixing and sham bids. The goal is regularly to deceive the contracting authority about the true competitive situation in order to secure the acceptance of a particular bid.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-9146b73\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-9146b73 uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-4-6a8191d6ec220\">Can companies themselves be punished?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under German law, criminal liability rests solely with natural persons. However, companies can face substantial fines and the confiscation of assets. Furthermore, entries in the competition register can have consequences under public procurement law.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-e3e4d09\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-e3e4d09 uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-5-6a8191d6ec266\">Is pre-trial detention a possibility in cases of corruption allegations?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pre-trial detention requires not only a strong suspicion of a crime but also grounds for detention, such as risk of flight or obstruction of justice. In complex white-collar crime cases, such a risk may be assumed, particularly in cases involving large sums of money or international elements.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-200c5cd\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-200c5cd uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-6-6a8191d6ec2a4\">How can a compliance system mitigate fines?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An effective compliance system can be taken into account in individual cases when determining the amount of the fine, especially if it is seriously implemented and actively practiced. Therefore, in addition to representing clients in ongoing proceedings, we also place great emphasis on preventative consulting and support companies in building robust compliance structures.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"uael-accordion-0de18e3\" class=\"uael-faq-accordion\" role=\"tablist\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class= \"uael-accordion-title\" aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"tab\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon uael-accordion-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-angle-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-question-0de18e3 uael-question-span\" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"uael-faq-7-6a8191d6ec2f2\">When should I hire a lawyer specializing in corruption and competition law?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-accordion-content\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As soon as you become aware of an investigation \u2013 for example, through a summons, search warrant, internal information, or media reports \u2013 you should seek legal advice immediately. Early legal representation allows you to actively shape procedural strategies and minimize legal risks.<\/span><\/p><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Strafrechtliche Risiken f\u00fcr Unternehmen und F\u00fchrungskr\u00e4fte Das Korruptions- und Wettbewerbsstrafrecht z\u00e4hlt zu den Kernbereichen des Wirtschaftsstrafrechts. Ein Ermittlungsverfahren wegen Bestechung, Bestechlichkeit, Vorteilsgew\u00e4hrung gegen\u00fcber einem Amtstr\u00e4ger oder wegen wettbewerbsbeschr\u00e4nkender Absprachen kann f\u00fcr Unternehmen, Organmitglieder und leitende Mitarbeitende erhebliche strafrechtliche und wirtschaftliche Folgen haben. Der freie Wettbewerb ist das tragende Prinzip der sozialen Marktwirtschaft. Aus diesem Grund [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1325,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1868","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 5.0.0.1 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Korruptions- und Wettbewerbsstrafrecht: Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte Berlin verteidigt Unternehmen, F\u00fchrungskr\u00e4fte und Privatpersonen bundesweit.\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"max-image-preview:large\" \/>\n\t<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/galen.de\/en\/rechtsgebiete\/wirtschaftsstrafrecht\/korruptions-und-wettbewerbsstrafrecht\/\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"generator\" content=\"All in One SEO Pro (AIOSEO) 5.0.0.1\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte Berlin | Strafrecht &amp; Compliance - Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte Berlin\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Korruptions- und Wettbewerbsstrafrecht | Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte Berlin\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Korruptions- und Wettbewerbsstrafrecht: Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte Berlin verteidigt Unternehmen, F\u00fchrungskr\u00e4fte und Privatpersonen bundesweit.\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/galen.de\/en\/rechtsgebiete\/wirtschaftsstrafrecht\/korruptions-und-wettbewerbsstrafrecht\/\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-06T12:41:18+00:00\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-10T08:40:42+00:00\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Korruptions- und Wettbewerbsstrafrecht | Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte Berlin\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Korruptions- und Wettbewerbsstrafrecht: Galen Rechtsanw\u00e4lte Berlin verteidigt Unternehmen, F\u00fchrungskr\u00e4fte und Privatpersonen bundesweit.\" \/>\n\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"aioseo-schema\">\n\t\t\t{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/wirtschaftsstrafrecht\\\/korruptions-und-wettbewerbsstrafrecht\\\/#breadcrumblist\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en#listItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\",\"nextItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"Rechtsgebiete\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/#listItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Rechtsgebiete\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/\",\"nextItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/wirtschaftsstrafrecht\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"Wirtschaftsstrafrecht\"},\"previousItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en#listItem\",\"name\":\"Home\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/wirtschaftsstrafrecht\\\/#listItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Wirtschaftsstrafrecht\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/wirtschaftsstrafrecht\\\/\",\"nextItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/wirtschaftsstrafrecht\\\/korruptions-und-wettbewerbsstrafrecht\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"Korruptions- und Wettbewerbsstrafrecht\"},\"previousItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"Rechtsgebiete\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/wirtschaftsstrafrecht\\\/korruptions-und-wettbewerbsstrafrecht\\\/#listItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Korruptions- und Wettbewerbsstrafrecht\",\"previousItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/rechtsgebiete\\\/wirtschaftsstrafrecht\\\/#listItem\",\"name\":\"Wirtschaftsstrafrecht\"}}]},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/galen.de\\\/en\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Galen Rechtsanw\\u00e4lte Berlin | Strafrecht &amp; Compliance\",\"description\":\"Galen Rechtsanw\\u00e4lte in Berlin: Strafverteidigung, Wirtschaftsstrafrecht, Compliance-Beratung und Whistleblowing. 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