The purpose of this course is, through the prism of the EU and US regimes, to introduce students to the main substantive issues of competition law regimes. The principles may be transferred to any jurisdiction, although particular emphasis will be placed on the different substantive approaches within regimes. The focus of this course will be on the control of multi-lateral and unilateral anti-competitive conduct; in application of Article 101 and 102 of the TFEU (EU) and Section 1 and Section 2 of the Sherman Act (US).

 The course will also consider the context within which the law operates, focussing on the relevant economic principles and theories, as well as the tensions in the economics debate, underpinning the application of the law.

The course does not deal with competition law enforcement and procedures, which is dealt with separately in Competition Law Enforcement. The course does not deal with merger control, which is a large and complex area of law, and which is dealt with separately in the International Merger Control course. For students wishing to take the course Advanced Competition Law this course is, in most cases, a compulsory pre-requisite.

10 x 2 hour seminars in semester 1.

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None

The course is assessed by an essay of 1500 words (25%) and a 2 hour final examination (75%).

The course aims to foster an understanding of the key substantive issues in the competition laws of the European Union and the United States, and to develop transferable skills. In particular the course aims to:

■ explore theories which underlie competition law, and in particular the economic concepts;

■ enhance the knowledge of EU and US competition law;

■ encourage in depth and independent study and learning;

■ develop problem-solving skills;

■ develop research skills.

By the end of the course students should:

1. have a critical understanding of competition law, both European and American;

2. be able to analyse current issues in competition law, both substantive and procedural;

3. be able to use research methods on competition law efficiently;

4. be able to deconstruct and solve a hypothetical legal problem related to competition law;

5. be better able to construct written and oral legal arguments.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course summative assessment.