Competition Law
Module title | Competition Law |
---|---|
Module code | LAWM087 |
Academic year | 2020/1 |
Credits | 30 |
Module staff | Dr Matthew Cole (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
---|
Module description
The free market has become the foundation of economic systems around the globe. However, in order for the free market to remain free it requires rules to be applied to ensure competition is fair and efficient. This module considers briefly some of the theories upon which competition is based before going on to discuss the laws that exist to protect competition in the EU. This includes laws against cartels, laws that regulate the behaviour of dominant firms and laws regulating the assistance Member States can provide to companies. The course will focus on the relevant Treaty Articles, consider (mainly) EU case law and also the 'soft law' documents issued by the EU Commission. The module is open to all students, but best suited to those with an interest in commercial law and economics.
No prior knowledge of economics is necessary, but an interest would be useful.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims at providing a critical understanding of the development of EU competition law and policy as a key area of EU in its private and public dimension. The contemporary challenges faced by the competition regime are accentuated with the rise of global corporations and the various aims within both individual and competing competition law jurisdictions. The module aims to enable you to understand, assess and critically address the legal issues at stake in this field of law.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate deep, systematic and critical understanding of the role, aims and underlying principles of competition law;
- 2. demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the principal features of EU competition law;
- 3. identify, explain, assess and analyse issues arising in the areas of competition law considered in the module and identify and apply relevant legal rules and theories to those issues;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. demonstrate a high level of ability in selecting, integrating and presenting coherently and reflectively, relevant law and legal/theoretical arguments;
- 5. demonstrate a high level of ability in integrating and assessing information from a wide variety of primary and secondary legal sources, using this to produce reasoned arguments and analysis in relation to legal issues;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. demonstrate effective, confident and autonomous ability to manage relevant learning resources/ information/ learning strategies and to develop own reasoned arguments and opinions; and
- 7. communicate and engage in debate effectively and accurately, in a manner appropriate to the discipline and context.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module's precise content may vary, it is envisaged that the syllabus will include all/some of the following topics, which will be covered in this order.
- Competition and its economic justification
- Article 101 TFEU
- Article 102 TFEU: The abuse of dominance
- Competition enforcement powers
- European Merger Control Regulation 139/2004
- Articles 107-109 TFEU State Aids Policy
- International dimensions of competition law
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
30 | 270 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning & teaching activities | 30 | 10 x 3 hour Lecturer-led seminars |
Guided independent study | 150 | Preparation for seminars |
Guided independent study | 120 | Preparation and writing of summative essay assessment |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Essay | 2,500 words | 1-7 | Written/oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Coursework | 100 | 5,000 words | 1-7 | Written/oral |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Coursework | Coursework (5,000 words) | 1-7 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
R. Whish & D. Bailey, Competition law, (9th ed. OUP, 2018)
A. Jones & B. Sufrin, EU Competition law, (7th ed. OUP, 2019)
A. Ezrachi, EU Competition Law, An Analytical Guide to the Leading Cases (3rd ed, Hart 2012)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
See in particular the Web pages of the European Commission on:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/index_en.html
Case law of the European Court of Justice available at: http://curia.eu
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Westlaw, Lexis, EURLex
Credit value | 30 |
---|---|
Module ECTS | 15 |
NQF level (module) | 7 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 26/10/2013 |
Last revision date | 26/08/2020 |