Beatrise Rihtere participates in the “Juristu Forums” on competition law damages

What happens when a cartel has been proven, but no one can clearly say how much was actually overpaid? This question has become one of the most challenging issues in competition law, as determining the amount of harm requires a precise and well-reasoned approach. 

On 14 November, at the “Juristu Forums” organised by the Competition Council, WALLESS Senior Associate Beatrise Rihtere delivered a presentation contributing to the discussion on the assessment of damages in competition law infringement cases and the practical challenges visible in Latvian case law when applying the presumption of the amount of damages.  

The Forum highlighted that the presumptions regarding the existence and amount of damages make it easier for injured parties to claim compensation, however, they cannot be applied automatically. The 10% overcharge presumption serves only as a starting point, and in practice it is essential to assess the available evidence. This also is confirmed by the fact that other European jurisdictions apply an individualised approach to damage calculation rather than a fixed percentage presumption. 

WALLESS continues to follow developments in this field and strengthen its expertise in competition law, providing companies with clear, precise and reliable legal support in complex damages recovery proceedings. 

These discussions once again underline the importance of an accurate and evidence-based approach to damages claims.