Spanish competition authorities have a broad scope when searching for evidence under current laws. But a number of local companies are less than impressed, says Mike Elkin

Nothing riles Madrid’s competition lawyers more than the cartel-smashing raids by Spain’s Comision Nacional de la Competencia (CNC). Since a leniency programme came into effect in early 2008, companies have been busy snitching, and the CNC has launched investigations with the zeal of Eliot Ness.