Law firm draws competition commission’s ire
Exclusive agreement with bank under microscope
Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka has been ordered to cease and desist from contacting a whistle-blower which reported the firm to the Namibia Competition Commission.
Law firm Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka (WKH) is alleged to have engaged a whistle-blower who reported its conduct over conveyancing with Bank Windhoek, according to the Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC).
The law firm is currently under investigation for anti-competitive behaviour by the watchdog.
WKH drew the attention of the NaCC following allegations of exclusive dealings pertaining to property conveyance services.
The law firm and Bank Windhoek are alleged to have entered into an exclusive service level agreement, which gives WKH exclusive and sole conveyancing rights for properties financed by the bank.
Complainant engaged
“It has come to the NaCC’s attention that WKH has addressed a correspondence to the complainant in which it demanded of him to provide them with evidence in support of the allegations levelled against WKH,” the commission said.
The law firm was discouraged from further engaging the complainant with immediate effect.
“The commission has to this effect taken serious exception of the conduct and addressed correspondence to WKH in which it cautioned [the law firm] to cease and desist from directly engaging in correspondence with the complainant in so far as this matter is concerned,” the NaCC said.
Likely compromised investigation
WKH’s conduct could compromise the investigation, the NaCC said.
“The commission strongly discourages the practice whereby parties subject to investigations directly engage and intimidate complainants as this may compromise investigations and the ability of the public to freely lay complaints with the commission,” it added.
The law firm is currently under investigation for anti-competitive behaviour by the watchdog.
WKH drew the attention of the NaCC following allegations of exclusive dealings pertaining to property conveyance services.
The law firm and Bank Windhoek are alleged to have entered into an exclusive service level agreement, which gives WKH exclusive and sole conveyancing rights for properties financed by the bank.
Complainant engaged
“It has come to the NaCC’s attention that WKH has addressed a correspondence to the complainant in which it demanded of him to provide them with evidence in support of the allegations levelled against WKH,” the commission said.
The law firm was discouraged from further engaging the complainant with immediate effect.
“The commission has to this effect taken serious exception of the conduct and addressed correspondence to WKH in which it cautioned [the law firm] to cease and desist from directly engaging in correspondence with the complainant in so far as this matter is concerned,” the NaCC said.
Likely compromised investigation
WKH’s conduct could compromise the investigation, the NaCC said.
“The commission strongly discourages the practice whereby parties subject to investigations directly engage and intimidate complainants as this may compromise investigations and the ability of the public to freely lay complaints with the commission,” it added.
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