A company in the public works sector in Wallis and Futuna is being investigated for abusing its dominant position by imposing unfair trading conditions on customers. The Autorité de la concurrence has notified the company of objections, initiating inter partes proceedings to allow the parties to defend themselves.

The Autorité's ability to communicate on statements of objections is authorized by Article L. 463-6 of the French Commercial Code, following an amendment aimed at empowering competition authorities to be more effective enforcers. This aligns with the transposition of a European Directive to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market.

The statement of objections serves as an 'indictment' sent to companies suspected of anticompetitive practices, leading to inter partes proceedings where parties can present legal or factual observations. The process includes written rounds and an oral hearing before the Board to independently determine the validity of the objections.