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Antitrust 2026: Competition contacts at trade fairs and association meetings
An informal conversation can become relevant under antitrust law if competitors exchange sensitive information. Companies should prepare employees for specific interview situations and offer a reliable internal reporting route.
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Common sense and compliance manual
Mr Weber holds the new compliance manual in his hands. Two centimeters thick, cleanly bound, full of references to guidelines, processes and responsibilities. He leaves, nods, sighs. "Actually logical, he thinks. And that's exactly where the story of common sense begins in everyday business. If rules explain everything, but don't prevent anything On Monday morning, Mr Weber is facing a decision...
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Liability for compliance violations?
Liability for violations of compliance is a complex and constantly evolving area of law, which is of great importance both in the national and international context. In recent years, the case law in Germany and the EU has identified liability risks for companies and their bodies (e.g. Managing Director, Executive Board members) in connection with compliance violations significantly intensified. Here's...
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Risk in compliance law
By identifying and managing compliance risks appropriately, companies can not only avoid legal problems, but also strengthen stakeholder confidence and ensure long-term sustainability. Lawyer Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M. The risk in compliance law relates to the possibility that a company or organisation violates applicable laws, regulations or internal guidelines. The...
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Incentives and sanctions as instruments
Incentives and sanctions are instruments used in compliance law to promote and ensure compliance with legal regulations, corporate guidelines and ethical standards. They serve to motivate employees and organisations to behave in accordance with the rules and to draw appropriate consequences in case of non-compliance. We are represented throughout Germany. Visit our headquarters and our branches....
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The Federal Cartel Office monitors and regulates competition
The Bundeskartellamt is an independent competition authority in Germany, which is responsible for enforcing antitrust law and monitoring competition. Lawyer Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M. In the context of compliance rights, the Federal Cartel Office plays an important role as it obliges companies to comply with the applicable competition rules and not to commit antitrust infringements. Company...
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The IT compliance is legal
Just call us. We are happy to advise you. Legal, internal and contractual regulations prevail in the area of IT landscape. With the term IT compliance, we can describe compliance with the regulations in corporate management. Compliance in itself simply means that the applicable legal rules and recognized social values and norms within the framework of all corporate...
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Organizing compliance processes
The organisation resulting in the light of compliance is complemented by hedging levels in decision-making processes and throughout the supervisory organisation. Lawyer Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M. Compliance with applicable laws The main goal of a compliance organization is to comply with all applicable laws and rules throughout the Group. The organisation should guarantee the best possible advice and support in all areas of the Group. We'll advise...
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Information and communication required
A company's ability to comply with applicable laws, guidelines and voluntary principles is reflected in its reputation. We offer compliance training. Lawyer Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M. From a seminar for beginners to training on the path to becoming a compliance specialist, we offer various levels. The recurring training of employees as well as internal and...
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Monitor and improve CMS
We are represented throughout Germany. Visit our headquarters and our branches. IDW PS 980 is the ongoing monitoring and improvement of the compliance management system (CMS). The adequacy and effectiveness of the CMS are monitored. A sufficient documentation of the CMS is required for monitoring. Is the compliance management system appropriate and up-to-date? Is it still working? These are the questions that...
A punishment is a sanction for a certain behavior. Normally, the educator, state or superior is wrong. For this, however, the behavior must first be qualified as inappropriate.
Penalties are important in law, theology, philosophy, psychology and education.
Rechtsanwalt Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M.
We're professionals. Use a first consultation with us.
Types of penalties in the compliance management system
The penalty in the compliance management system ranges from termination without notice to warning. It is important that sanctions are compatible with labour law. If the penalty is provided for in the employment contract, the company may, for example, recover the bonuses. Another measure may be that an employee who does not comply with the rules risks his promotion or even the workplace.
We advise and support you on all compliance issues.
Factors for determining the penalty
The internal investigation should take into account some factors for the assessment of the infringement and the penalty to be determined.
Whether the employee has participated in compliance training is important for determining the penalty.
Rechtsanwalt Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M.
First, the employee's function must be taken into account. In addition, the role of the superior should be included in the evaluation. It is important for the penalty whether the employee acted intentionally or negligently. Further consideration should be given to whether the employee committed a breach or acted in retaliation for the first time. If the employee cooperates with the investigation of the case, the behaviour can also be observed in the penalty.
From a seminar for beginners to training on the way to Compliance specialist we offer different levels.
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First German EPPO convictions for participation in organized VAT crime
On 23 October 2026, the Düsseldorf Regional Court sentenced two parties to several years of imprisonment in the international tax fraud complex "Operation Goliath". According to the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), these are the first convictions in a German EPPO case, in which a court found that the accused had participated in a criminal organisation. The case shows how tight...
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Compliance 2026 – What you need to know today
Compliance law covers many areas. In 2026, compliance is not only a legal obligation but also a competitive factor. Key topics include: Data protection and IT compliance: As digitalisation progresses, companies must ensure that the processing of personal data is lawful. DSGVO obligations include, as well as secure data transmission, access rights, data retention and reporting requirements for data protection violations. Antitrust and competition law: companies...
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Incentives and sanctions as instruments
Incentives and sanctions are instruments used in compliance law to promote and ensure compliance with legal regulations, corporate guidelines and ethical standards. They serve to motivate employees and organisations to behave in accordance with the rules and to draw appropriate consequences in case of non-compliance. We are represented throughout Germany. Visit our headquarters and our branches....
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Penalties in the compliance management system
A punishment is a sanction for a certain behavior. Normally, the educator, state or superior is wrong. For this, however, the behavior must first be qualified as inappropriate. Penalties are important in law, theology, philosophy, psychology and education. We're professionals. Use a first consultation with us. Types of...
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7 Deadly Sins of IT Compliance
Although legal departments and risk management are mostly responsible for compliance, the IT department is also involved in compliance matters to ensure security. Thus, IT compliance is an important component of the compliance matter. The plethora of regulations regulating IT systems and data is growing. Lawyer Dipl.-Ing. Michael Horak, LL.M. Responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer regulations, data,...
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Follow IT Compliance
With IT compliance, corporate management focuses on compliance with legal, internal and contractual regulations in the IT sector. IT is an abbreviation and describes the technology for data processing. The abbreviation can also be described with information technology or information technology. The focus of IT compliance Information security, availability, data retention and data protection are the priorities of IT compliance. The focus...
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Which typical compliance risks exist?
Both violations of legal or other external regulations and the disregard for internal guidelines with possible consequences for the company and its employees constitute compliance risks. Whether the violation took place intentionally or negligently, it is often just as insignificant for detention as the fact whether the disregard occurred only partially or completely....
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Incentives and sanctions to comply with compliance rules
Incentives and sanctions for compliance with rules can have a controlling effect. The use of these control mechanisms is possible internally by the company but also externally by competent authorities. Rewarding and punishing companies their employees for complying with or failing to comply with rules in the right way, so the chance increases...