Module description
This course introduces the core provisions of EU competition law as it applies to undertakings, as well as its origin and objectives and how it has been interpreted. The module also considers how the rules are enforced both by public enforcement authorities and privately through civil litigation in the national courts. For those interested in discovering different ways of understanding and critiquing the law (in addition to legal perspectives, which we also use), this module also introduces insights from both economics and political science.
No previous knowledge of the subject is required. Nor do we require any previous knowledge of economics or political science.
The module is taught in seminars; students are encouraged to read allocated material prior to class and to engage actively with the issues being addressed.
Assessment details
Examination (100%)
Semester 1 only study abroad students will be required to sit any online examinations for this module. If the examination is in person, an alternative assessment will be arranged.
Full year study abroad students will be required to sit the exam, whether in person or online, and an alternative assessment will not be offered.
Educational aims & objectives
This module examines EU competition law, focussing on the rules applicable to undertakings - i.e. entities engaged in economic activity. It does not examine the state aid rules.
The purpose of the module is to consider why the EU (like many jurisdictions across the world) has competition laws, what the objectives of the rules are (or should be), how they are enforced, and how they apply to conduct of firms which may harm competition - including agreements or other collusion between independent firms, and unilateral conduct of dominant firms.
Given time constraints, it does not consider mergers between firms (although we will be happy to signpost further merger resources if the area is of interest to students).
At the end of the module students will have a good understanding of the competition laws, and how they have been interpreted, and the strengths and weaknesses of the EU system. Where relevant, comparison with other competition law systems will be made. Students will critically appraise the EU competition law system and consider whether, and if so how, it can be improved.
Teaching pattern
Weekly 2 hour seminar
Suggested reading list
Reading will be set weekly. If you wish to purchase a core text book, we suggest, Jones, Sufrin and Dunne, 'Jones and Sufrin's EU Competition Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (OUP, 8th edn, 2023).
The core textbook is also available free on LawTrove (the OUP database which is available online through the KCL library).