The following reading list is common for the courses taught at bachelor’s and master’s level. Note that there are different achievement requirements:
- Master’s level (10 credits): An advanced understanding is required
- Bachelor’s level (10 credits): A broad understanding is required
Achievement requirements
Achievement requirements for master’s level (10 credits):
Knowledge
The students are expected to have advanced knowledge of the following topics:
- Article 101(1) which prohibits agreements, decision by associations of undertakings and concerted practices that are restrictive of competition.
- Horizontal agreements;
- Cartels
- Oligopoly, tacit collusion and collective dominance
- Vertical agreements
- The criteria for exemption under article 101(3), and the role and function of block exemptions
- Article 102
- Abuse of dominance
- Non-pricing practices
- Pricing practices
- Enforcement;
- Enforcement of Article 101 and 102 in the courts of the Member States
- Enforcement by the European Commission of Articles 101 and 102 according to Council Regulation 1/2003
- Enforcement of Article 101 and 102 in the courts of the Member States according to Council Regulation 1/2003
- Enforcement of Article 101 and 102 by national competition authorities according to Council Regulation 1/2003
- The system of Merger Control, both its substantive as well as procedural rules and its function within competition law.
- The relationship between competition law and state measures, and knowledge about the EU law context of competition law.
Skills
The students are expected to be able to
- Analyse and identify the relevant legal issues in complex factual matters concerning practices, agreements and transactions (M&As) potentially restrictive of competition
- Define the relevant market in a given market setting
- Find the applicable source material, and identify and interpret the relevant substantive rules and principles, in a case before the Commission or a national court
- Know the main risks and give strategic advice in cases of planned M&As, agreements and implementation of business practices.
- Critically evaluate current rules and case-law in the light of economic theory.
General competence
- Be able to perform relevant legal work in law firms, companies, and competition authorities
- Have understanding of the economic rationale underlying competition law.
Achievement requirements for bachelor's level (10 credits):
Knowledge
The students are expected to have broad knowledge of the following topics:
- Article 101(1) which prohibits agreements, decision by associations of undertakings and concerted practices that are restrictive of competition.
- Horizontal agreements;
- Cartels
- Cooperation agreements
- Vertical agreements
- The criteria for exemption under article 101(3), and the role and function of block exemptions
- Article 102
- Abuse of dominance
- Non-pricing practices
- Pricing practices
- Enforcement;
- Enforcement of Article 101 and 102 in the courts of the Member States
- Enforcement by the European Commission of Articles 101 and 102 according to Council Regulation 1/2003
- Enforcement of Article 101 and 102 in the courts of the Member States according to Council Regulation 1/2003
- Enforcement of Article 101 and 102 by national competition authorities according to Council Regulation 1/2003
- The students are expected to have knowledge about the system of Merger Control, and its function within competition law.
Skills
The students are expected to be able to
- Analyse and identify the relevant legal issues in more simple factual matters concerning practices and agreements potentially restrictive of competition
- Define the relevant market in a given market setting
- Find the applicable source material, and identify and interpret the relevant substantive rules and principles, in a case before the Commission or a national court
General competence
- Have an understanding of the impact of competition law on commercial activities
- Have an understanding of the interaction between law and economics in competition law.
Reading list
Master's level
Richard Whish: Competition law, 7th edition, London 2012. The book treats both EC and UK Law. The students are not required to read the parts on UK law.
Chapter 1, 2 (except 3), 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13 (except 11), 14 (except 5), 15 (except 11), 16 (except 11), 17, 18, 20 and 21.
Total pages: 631
Bachelor's level
Richard Whish: Competition law, 7th edition, London 2012. The book treats both EC and UK Law. The students are not required to read the parts on UK law.
Chapter 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13 (except 11), 16 (except 11), 17 and 18.
Total pages: 443
Supplementary reading
Relevant legal texts
Block exemption Vertical restraints
Copies of the above mentioned legal texts can be taken from books available at the Library in DM. If you intend to use the copies during the exam, make sure you only make copies of the law texts.