leniencyprogrammid
A leniency program is a legal or regulatory initiative designed to encourage individuals or organizations to voluntarily disclose wrongdoing, such as violations of antitrust, securities, or other compliance laws, in exchange for reduced penalties or immunity from prosecution. These programs are commonly implemented by government agencies, such as antitrust authorities or financial regulators, to promote compliance, deter illegal activities, and recover damages caused by violations.
Leniency programs typically operate on a "first-to-disclose" basis, offering the most favorable terms to the first
Antitrust leniency programs, for example, are widely used to combat cartels and price-fixing schemes. Under such
Critics argue that leniency programs can create incentives for companies to engage in illegal behavior initially,