Solving commercial disputes by negotiation

When participating in economic relations, the occurrence of disputes and conflicts between individuals and organizations is inevitable. In the dispute, all parties want to find the solution to resolve the dispute to best ensure their rights and affect the relationship between the parties is the lowest, so as to achieve efficiency but less costly time and money. Therefore, the choice of dispute resolution method is extremely important. In fact, the most commonly used methods of dispute resolution include negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and court.

Competition Lawyers in Vietnam

Negotiation is the first method of settlement in the dispute resolution process, which is reflected in the fact that the parties in the dispute actively meet, discuss and agree on each party's rights and obligations.

The law on dispute resolution does not require the parties to negotiate. Therefore, from the process of organization, implementation, the presence of the parties, the rights and obligations of the entities, the negotiation results are not subject to the adjustment of legal regulations. It all depends on the goodwill of the parties. In case an agreement is reached in the negotiation meeting, and then one of the parties fails to comply, the parties cannot request the competent state agency to carry out the enforcement.

The mode of negotiation is usually prioritized by the parties when the dispute occurs, because this method is adjust by the law and not restricted by strict regulations on the process of negotiation, participants, time, as well as inexpensive money. Due to the self-settlement with each other, disputes should not be greatly enlarged, without affecting the reputation of the parties. Also because there is no regulation of the law, there is no enforcement on the bargaining results.

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Handling Violations of Competition Laws in Vietnam

Foreign brands are increasingly popular in the Vietnam market as Vietnam economy integrates into world economy.The openings of economy creates opportunities to attract foreign investment into Vietnam through establishment of companies. To continue to protect the fair competition, and interest of consumer, it is important that the Vietnam state authority ensures the business environment. Accordingly, violations related to competition will be handled in accordance with the law.

Acts of violation of competition under Vietnam laws are defined in Article 1 of Decree 71/2014 / ND-CP, including: violations of regulations on control of acts of restraint of competition; acts of violating regulations on acts of unfair competition; violations of other provisions of law on competition. According to the provisions of law, the above acts shall be subject to the forms of punishment and fine. The most common and most powerful impact on businesses and consumers are the violation of unfair competition.

In practice, there are a number of instances where unfair competition acts are associated with intellectual property rights violations, which have a significant impact on business activities of enterprises in the same field; violation of business secrets; activities of advertising that are prohibited i.e. make direct comparison against competitor, provide falsified or confused information to consumers…

If committed acts of unfair competition, the violator will be subject to fine level from VND 10,000,000 to VND 140,000,000. At the same time, additional measures and remedies will be applied, depending on the seriousness of the breach, such as the revocation of the enterprise registration certificate; deprivation of the right to use licenses or practice certificates; confiscation of material evidences and means used to commit the violation, including the confiscation of profits earned from the commission of the violation; to restructure the enterprise, rectify to the public…

From the management of state authority, the detection and handling of unfair competition acts create conditions for enterprises to have equal opportunities in the market economy. From the enterprise’s perspective, it is important to continuously review its business activities in Vietnam to ensure compliance to competition law by its lawyers.

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Several Noted Points on Law Competition of 2018

Vietnam Law on Competition has been adopted and will be effective on July 1st, 2019. The competition law of 2018 has changed in comparison with the Law on Competition 2004. Theses changes are fundamental which enterprises should be aware of when entering into Vietnam through M&A activities. Competition lawyer in Vietnam should be consulted for update and development to avoid non-compliance.

Firstly, the Competition Law 2018 gave up regulations on the limit of acts of economic concentration. Accordingly, Article 30 prohibits an enterprise from conducting economic concentration that has the potential to cause significant adverse effects on competition in the Vietnamese market. Contrary to previous regulations, Competition Law 2004 prohibits economic concentration if the combined market share of enterprises participating in economic concentration accounted for more than 50% in the relevant market.

Secondly, the Competition Law 2018 under Article 112 provides clemency policy for enterprises violating competition regulations. Accordingly, enterprises which voluntarily declare to help the National Competition Committee detect, investigate and deal with prohibited competition restriction acts will be exempted or reduced penalties according to the leniency policy. The leniency policy is applicable to no more than three first enterprises applying for leniency to the National Competition Commission.

Thirdly, unlike the Competition Law 2004, the Competition Law 2018 specifies the maximum fine for violations of competition law. 

For organization:

- Violating regulations on the acts of economic concentration: a maximum fine of 5% of the total turnover of the business on the relevant market. 

- Violating regulations on unfair competition: a fine of up to VND 2 billion

- Violation of other regulations: up to 200 million VND.

For individual, the fine level is 50% of the organization’s level.

Fourth, on threshold of economic concentration.The Competition Law 2004 stipulated that for centrally-run enterprises with a market share of between 30% and 50% in the relevant market, the competition authority must notify the competition authority before conducting the economic concentration. At present, the Competition Law 2018 is not regulated specifically as above, but only the notification threshold of economic concentration is determined based on one of four criteria as following:

- Total assets on the Vietnamese market of enterprises participating in economic concentration;

-The total turnover in the Vietnamese market of enterprises participating in economic concentration;

- Transaction value of economic concentration;

- Market share in the relevant market of enterprises participating in economic concentration.

Finally, new regulation on the time limit for dealing with a breach of competition law. Previously, to solve and deal with cases of economic concentration violation, it is necessary to undertake a preliminary investigation and formal investigation. In particular, the preliminary investigation is 30 days; formal investigation is 60 days with unfair competition; 180 days with the agreement restriction competition, economic concentration. Competition Law 2018 no longer stipulates two phases of the above investigation, but only that the investigation period is 09 months for restricted competition; 90 days with economic concentration; 60 days with unfair competition cases.

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Please click here to learn more about Corporate and M&A Legal Service or contact our lawyers in Vietnam for advice. Send us request via email at ant@antlawyers.vn or call us at +84 28 730 86 529

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