Competition Law
| Module title | Competition Law |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW2109 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Mihail Danov (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 45 |
|---|
Module description
The aim of the module is to provide you with an advanced level of understanding of UK Competition Law, considering what its objectives are as well as how the current UK enforcement regime is functioning. In doing so, the module focuses on the UK Competition Act 1998. Particular attention will be paid on the work of the UK Competition and Market Authority and the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal. The specific issues concerning collective (opt-in or opt-out) redress proceedings will be taken account of as well. The module is appropriate for students studying law at undergraduate level (year 2 and 3 students).
Module aims - intentions of the module
The teaching and learning on the module will be research-enriched, considering the latest developments in the area. You will develop your ability to analyse primary materials, engaging with relevant secondary sources. This should enable you to construct balanced legal arguments and take an informed view whilst using a wide range of materials. The specific objectives of the course are:
- To provide advanced instructions in the main principles of competition law, developing students’ analytical skills;
- To examine critically the rules prohibiting cartel agreements between undertakings under Chapter I of the UK Competition Act, enhancing students’ ability to analyse complex competition law issues;
- To analyse the provisions prohibiting an abuse of dominance under Chapter II of the UK Competition Act, specifying the difficulties which enforcers have to deal with;
- To consider the main principles concerning the merger control, identifying the challenges regulators/businesses face;
To study the principle concerning enforcement of UK competition law, evaluating the effectiveness of the current enforcement regime.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main objectives of completion law and its enforcement.
- 2. Undertake critical evaluation of the UK competition law provisions.
- 3. Understand how the UK competition law enforcement regime is functioning.
- 4. Identify the major challenges which the UK policy-makers are facing.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Synthesise relevant primary and secondary sources considering important legal implications and various policy-options.
- 6. Identify central legal issues and problems concerning a regulatory framework.
- 7. Solve legal problems, identifying relevant issues and specifying the legal positions of parties to complex legal disputes.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Construct a legal argument and take an informed view, whilst responding to essay-style questions and problem-style questions.
- 9. Structure legal arguments with a view to presenting ideas and drawing conclusions, when completing specified tasks.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will focus on the following topics:
- Objectives of competition laws;
- Prohibition of cartel agreements;
- Prohibition of an abuse of dominance;
- Merger control;
- Objectives of competition law enforcement;
- Public enforcement;
- Private enforcement.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | 129 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 11 | 11 x 1hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 10 | 5 x 2 hour Seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 45 | Individual research, reading and lecture/seminar preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 14 | Formative assessment preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 70 | Summative assessment preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1,000 words | 1-9 | Written/Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination (take-home, open book) | 100 | 2 hours intended duration (within a 24-hour submission window) | 1-9 | Written/Oral |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination (take-home, open book) | Examination (take-home, open book; same as above) | 1-9 | August/September re-assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
Whish and Bailey, Competition Law (OUP, 2018)
Lianos and Korah, Competition Law (OUP, 2019)
Colino, Competition Law of the EU and UK (OUP, 2019)
Further materials will be made available on the module ELE page.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 25/01/2019 |
| Last revision date | 31/05/2022 |
