LAW3203 : Competition Law (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr David Reader
- Lecturer: Dr Francesco De Cecco
- Owning School: Newcastle Law School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To acquire knowledge and develop understanding of the different types of commercial behaviour that
are subject to competition law scrutiny by EU and UK authorities.
To acquire knowledge and develop understanding of the relationship between UK and EU competition law and enforcement bodies.
To evaluate the effectiveness of EU and UK competition law in achieving the stated objectives.
Companies increasingly operate in global markets with little regard for the boundaries of the nation state, and yet commercial behaviour in one part of the world can cause ripple effects in many jurisdictions due to economic integration. This module considers how EU and UK competition law attempts to deal with anti-competitive behaviour both within and beyond their jurisdictional borders, from both a civil law and (increasingly) criminal law perspective.
Essentially, the module will focus on the legal scrutiny of three broad categories of behaviour: monopolistic behaviour; anti-competitive agreements; and merger control. The module will also cover the legal regime for the control of state aids within the European Union, and the role of private enforcement in competition law.
An awareness of competition law and its impact upon business not only equips students with legal skills useful for those wishing to enter into legal practice, but also provides students with a greater commercial awareness that will be useful for all, irrespective of their chosen career path.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Introduction to UK & EU competition policy and law
2. Public enforcement framework and jurisdiction
3. Cartels and anti-competitive agreements (inc. UK criminal cartel offence)
4. Control of monopoly power
5. Merger control
6. Private enforcement
7. State aid
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 30 | 1:00 | 30:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 154 | 1:00 | 154:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Ad hoc online support ongoing throughout the semester. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures will be interactive and (in some cases) require advanced preparation, as will the seminars. The rationale for this teaching method is to promote analytical, argumentative and critical skills essential for discourse. The learning methods will rely on directed self-study for the contact teaching time and independent study for the preparation of assessed coursework which will bring together the knowledge, cognitive, research and the assessed key skills. The lecture base of tuition is grounded in the need to provide a coherent introductory exposition of very technical law and offering structure, reinforcement of problem solving skills. The seminars provide the medium through which the intended learning outcomes are rehearsed, refined and improved.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 135 | 2 | A | 60 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 10 | 2 blog posts arguing for and against a contentious proposition (max. 500 words each). |
| Essay | 2 | M | 30 | 2000 words |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The examination provides an important incentive for students to establish a foundation of knowledge in the subject.
The unseen examination tests the demonstration of knowledge and understanding in the context of an application of skills that need to be developed over the whole module. The examination provides a means for testing students' ability to analyse, synthesise, deploy critical judgment and evaluate alternative arguments. It also allows candidates to demonstrate intended learning outcomes across a broad range of topics within the syllabus.
The assessed coursework will give students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their research skills, and
their ability to understand the operation of law within the commercial environment, and present coherent arguments supported by appropriate legal basis and precedent.
By forcing them to consider the counterfactual position, the blog post task requires students to apply their critical reasoning skills to argue for and against a contentious point in competition law.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- LAW3203's Timetable