An early example of competition law is the Lex Julia de Annona, enacted during the Roman Republic around 50 BC. To protect the grain trade, heavy fines were imposed on anyone directly, deliberately and insidiously stopping supply ships. Under Diocletian in 301 AD an edict imposed the death penalty for anyone violating a tariff system, for example by buying up, concealing of contriving the scarcity of everyday goods. More legislation came under the Constitution of Zeno of 483 AD, which can be traced into Florentine Municipal laws of 1322 and 1325. This provided for confiscation of property and banishment for any trade combination or joint action of monopolies private or granted by the Emperor. Zeno rescinded all previously granted exclusive right. Justinian 1 subsequently introduced legislation to pay officials to manage state monopolies. As Europe slipped into the dark ages, so did the records of law making until the Middle Ages brought greater expansion of trade in the time of lex mercatoria.
No comments:
Post a Comment