Organisation chart
The Autorité de la concurrence is formed of nearly 200 people from a variety of backgrounds, with many different profiles, who combine their talents and expertise in different disciplines.
In accordance with the principle of separation of investigation and decision-making, the investigation teams are under the authority of the General Rapporteur.
The administrative services (under the authority of the Secretary General) and three specialised services (Office of the President, Legal Department and Communications Department) report directly to the President of the Autorité.
Investigation teams
Cases are investigated by case officers (rapporteurs) with various profiles (judges, civil servants, economists, lawyers, engineers, etc.) under the direction of the General Rapporteur and the Deputy General Rapporteurs.
The investigation services consist of:
- 6 Antitrust Units (anticompetitive practices, advisory activity, regulated professions, etc.);
- Inspections Unit (investigations, dawn raids, litigation follow-up);
- Mergers Unit (merger control);
- Chief Economist’s Team (assessments, modelling and studies);
- Digital Economy Unit (assessments, developing digital tools);
- Adviser to the General Rapporteur, Head of the Leniency and Europe Division;
- Adviser to the General Rapporteur, Head of the Sustainable Development Network.
The General Rapporteur is appointed by order of the Minister of the Economy, after consultation with the Board. The Deputy General Rapporteurs and the case officers (rapporteurs) are appointed by decision of the General Rapporteur, published in the Official Journal of the French Republic (Journal officiel).
Services reporting directly to the President
The President of the Autorité has several specialist services:
- the Office of the President (responsible for institutional, European and international matters);
- the Legal Department;
- the Communications Department.
Administrative services
All the administrative services are led by the General Secretary, under the authority of the President:
- the Procedural and Documentation Unit;
- the Human Resources Unit;
- the Financial Affairs and Purchasing Unit;
- the Information Systems Unit;
- the Logistical, Technical and Safety Unit;
- the Modernisation, Management and Performance Unit.
Hearing Adviser
Since 2008, the Autorité has had a procedural mediator known as the Hearing Adviser, who can be contacted by complainant or offending parties to prevent or defuse any difficulties encountered in the inter partes proceedings part of litigation.
The Hearing Adviser can also act ex officio. If they believes it to be useful, the Hearing Adviser can share advice or proposals with the General Rapporteur on the outcome of a procedure.
The Hearing Adviser does not make decisions and takes action by writing a report to the President of the Autorité de la concurrence, in advance of a hearing.
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