NMa Lowers Fines for Notaries in Breda
The fines imposed on 16 notaries in Breda by the Dutch Competition Authority (NMa), due to agreements entered into by the notaries to divide the market amongst themselves, were reduced on appeal. The original fines varied from NLG 15,000 to NLG 20,000. These were reduced to fines varying from NLG 5,000 to NLG 8,000.
On appeal NMa determined that the agreements reached by the notaries to divide assignments from the municipality of Breda amongst themselves by rotation contravened the Competition Act. The independent Competition Act Appeals Advisory Committee recommended that the fines be reduced, as the economic significance of the assignments from the municipality was small in relation to the total income of the firms of notaries in question.