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Module Catalogue

LA227-15 Introduction to Competition Law

Department
School of Law
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Kathryn McMahon
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

The aim of this half module is to introduce the main principles and policies of Competition Law in the United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU).

Module web page

Module aims

The aim of this half module is to introduce the main principles and policies of Competition Law in the United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU). Specific topics will be studied within the general themes of the legal framework, institutions, the economic theory underlying the law, and approaches to the regulation of specific anticompetitive conduct in the two main areas of: Abuse of market power (dominance): Article 102 TFEU (EU) and Chap II Competition Act 1998 (UK) and anti-competitive agreements: Article 101 TFEU (EU) and Chap I (UK). Remedies and enforcement. No prior knowledge will be assumed.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Introduction: Overview of competition laws
The economics of competition law and goals of competition
law
Markets, market power and competition
The abuse of market power: Article 102 TFEU (EU) and Chap II Competition Act 1998 (UK)
Anti-competitive agreements- horizontal and vertical restraints:
Article 101 TFEU (EU) and Chap I (UK).
Market Investigations (UK)
Enforcement and investigations

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • identify and understand the relevant law and economics underlying EU and UK competition law
  • critically evaluate the effectiveness of the law and identify any weaknesses
  • critically evaluate the law in the context of policy debates underlying the interpretation and direction of EU and UK competition law
  • understand the relationship between EU and UK competition law and the implications of Brexit
  • apply the law to practical problems

Indicative reading list

Jones, Sufrin & Dunne, EU Competition Law (Oxford University Press); UK; Whish and Bailey, Competition Law (Oxford University Press); Marco Colino, Competition Law of the EU and UK (Oxford University Press); Ezrachi, EU Competition Law: An Analytical Guide to the Leading Cases (Hart); EU and UK statutory materials are provided on the module Moodle.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

By the end of this module you will be expected to be able to:-

  • identify the relevant EU Treaty provisions and UK legislation applicable to the areas studied
  • understand the relevant caselaw and guidance
  • comment upon the effectiveness of the law and identify any weaknesses
  • describe and critically evaluate the economic and political issues which influence UK and EU Competition law and policy
  • contrast UK and EU law and policy and explain their interrelation
    -understand the implications of Brexit on UK competition law
    -ability to propose policy reform of Eu and UK competition law

Transferable skills

  • the ability to critically evaluate the economic theory underlying the interpretation of competition law
  • understand the relationship of competition law and economics
  • the ability to understand and interpret statutes
  • understand the legal framework and operation of UK and EU law
  • apply the law to practical problems
    -research and essay writing skills
  • correct referencing of legal texts and case law
  • the ability to construct and express an oral argument in class
    -work collaboratively in class to complete a defined task

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 18 sessions of 1 hour (12%)
Seminars 7 sessions of 1 hour (5%)
Private study 100 hours (67%)
Assessment 25 hours (17%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

No private study requirements defined for this module.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group A
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Portfolio assignment 100% 25 hours No

The portfolio assessment will be submitted as one complete piece of work comprising two parts for no more than 3000 words. Part I will assess students technical knowledge of the legal rules by, for example, providing advice on a factual scenario. Part II the students must prepare an essay which requires a critique of a particular aspect of the law and policy of EU and UK competition law. The word count will be divided equally between the two parts. Each part must be no more than 1,500 words and will account for 50% of the total grade for the portfolio The portfolio will assess both the technical understanding and application of the law and a critical understanding of its policy context.
Feedback on assessment

Written individual and generic feedback will be provided on each part of the portfolio. The final mark will be a summation of the marks for each part of the portfolio.

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • UIBA-MN34 Law and Business Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 3 of MN34 Law and Business Studies Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 4 of MN34 Law and Business Studies Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
  • Year 2 of ULAA-M130 Undergraduate Law
  • ULAA-M300 Undergraduate Law
    • Year 2 of M300 Law
    • Year 3 of M300 Law
  • ULAA-M105 Undergraduate Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 2 of M105 Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 3 of M105 Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
  • Year 2 of ULAA-M131 Undergraduate Law (4 Year)
  • ULAA-M106 Undergraduate Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 2 of M106 Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 3 of M106 Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 4 of M106 Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
  • ULAA-M104 Undergraduate Law (Year Abroad)
    • Year 2 of M104 Law (Year Abroad)
    • Year 4 of M104 Law (Year Abroad)
  • Year 2 of ULAA-M132 Undergraduate Law (Year Abroad)
  • ULAA-M108 Undergraduate Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 2 of M108 Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 4 of M108 Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
  • Year 3 of UIBA-MN31 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
  • UIBA-MN32 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
    • Year 3 of MN32 Law and Business Studies (Four-Year)
    • Year 4 of MN32 Law and Business Studies (Four-Year)
  • UIBA-MN37 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
    • Year 2 of MN37 Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
    • Year 4 of MN37 Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
    • Year 5 of MN37 Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
  • UIBA-MN35 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
    • Year 3 of MN35 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
    • Year 4 of MN35 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
  • UIBA-MN36 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
    • Year 2 of MN36 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
    • Year 4 of MN36 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
    • Year 5 of MN36 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
  • Year 3 of ULAA-ML33 Undergraduate Law and Sociology
  • Year 2 of ULAA-M133 Undergraduate Law with French Law
  • Year 2 of ULAA-M10A Undergraduate Law with French Law (Qualifying Degree)
  • Year 2 of ULAA-M134 Undergraduate Law with German Law
  • Year 2 of ULAA-M10C Undergraduate Law with German Law (Qualifying Degree)
  • Year 3 of ULAA-M110 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (3 Year)
  • ULAA-M136 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (3 Year)
    • Year 2 of M136 Law with Humanities (3 year)
    • Year 3 of M136 Law with Humanities (3 year)
  • ULAA-M113 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (4 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 2 of M113 Law with Humanities (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 3 of M113 Law with Humanities (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
  • Year 2 of ULAA-M115 Undergraduate Law with Social Sciences (3 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
  • UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
    • Year 2 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
    • Year 3 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
  • Year 4 of UPHA-V7MX Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law (with Intercalated Year)

This module is Unusual option for:

  • UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
    • Year 2 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
    • Year 3 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
  • Year 4 of UPHA-V7MX Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law (with Intercalated Year)

This module is Option list A for:

  • Year 4 of ULAA-ML35 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree) (with Intercalated year)
  • Year 3 of ULAA-M131 Undergraduate Law (4 Year)
  • Year 3 of ULAA-M135 Undergraduate Law and Sociology
  • Year 4 of ULAA-M10A Undergraduate Law with French Law (Qualifying Degree)
  • Year 4 of ULAA-M10C Undergraduate Law with German Law (Qualifying Degree)
  • Year 4 of ULAA-M113 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (4 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
  • Year 3 of ULAA-M115 Undergraduate Law with Social Sciences (3 Year) (Qualifying Degree)

This module is Option list B for:

  • ULAA-ML34 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 3 of ML34 Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
    • Year 4 of ML34 Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
  • Year 5 of ULAA-ML35 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree) (with Intercalated year)
  • Year 3 of ULAA-M130 Undergraduate Law
  • Year 4 of ULAA-ML33 Undergraduate Law and Sociology

This module is Option list E for:

  • Year 2 of UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law