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

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