U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division Law and Legal Definition
The Antitrust Division is a federal agency within the United States Department of Justice that is responsible for enforcing the U.S. antitrust laws. The division aims to promote economic competition by enforcing and providing guidance on antitrust laws and principles.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Antitrust division work hand in hand to provide regulatory guidance to businesses. The division shares jurisdiction over civil antitrust cases with the FTC. The Division institutes a civil action seeking a court order forbidding future violations of the law and requiring steps to remedy the anticompetitive effects of past violations.
The Division also has the power to file criminal cases against willful violators of the antitrust laws. It prosecutes certain violations of the antitrust laws by filing criminal suits that can lead to large fines and jail sentences.
The Antitrust Division also works with competition regulators in other countries.
