A government agency that, along with the Federal Trade Commission, administers antitrust laws. Both agencies work together on antitrust matters, including holding joint hearings. Under the Hart-Scott Rodino Act, passed in 1976, both the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice review merger agreements for deals above $50 million in order to prevent potential anti-
competitive harm to individuals and businesses. If the agencies decide to sue a company for unfair trade practices, the Department of JusticeÂ’s lawyers in the Antitrust Division try the case. The Department of Justice also handles issues such as fraud, civil rights, personal safety, and prison issues.