module specification

The area of competition law has seen a marked increase in its profile and in the level of legislation, regulation at both at the national and European level in recent years.  The competition law seeks to prevent agreements between or conduct by companies with substantial market power which unreasonably restrict the operation of competition on a market.  This module examines competition law from the UK and European perspective.  The competition law module will introduce you to the legal issues surrounding businesses' competitive practices.

In this module you will be able to develop a detailed, critical and evaluative knowledge of laws which regulate competition in the UK and EU and its importance in the business context.  You will develop an ability to identify legal problems in a competition context and to think critically and propose solutions applying legal principles.  You will develop techniques which will enable you to deal with legal problems in a competition context, and to develop an analytical approach to such problem.  You will develop an understanding of the functions of competition laws and a critical awareness of the deficiencies of the law in this area.  You will also be able to develop several key transferable skills including independent research, critical analysis and academic writing in the context of the UK and European competition law and how to use primary and secondary sources of law.  

This module will provide you with the opportunity to choose a subject of assessment within the syllabus according to your own particular interests, in accordance with the Inclusive Assessment aims of the ESJ Framework.

This module supports graduate opportunity and employability by giving you key knowledge of a subject which is practised within the professional legal sector; and by giving you a host of transferable skills, including research, critical thinking and communication.
 

The syllabus includes the following:

1. Introduction to Competition Law: the function of competition law, sources of competition law, UK and European law, the institutions for enforcement (LO1, LO2, LO3).

2. UK Competition Law (LO1, LO2, LO3). 

Anticompetitive practices, abuse of a dominant position and enforcement of competition law. 
The Competition Act- 1998
The Enterprise Act 2002.
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024

3. EU Competition Law (LO1, LO2, LO3)

Anticompetitive practices, abuse of a dominant position and enforcement of competition law. 
Article 101 TFEU and Article 102 TFEU
Regulation 1/2003

4. Control of Mergers: UK and EU law (LO1, LO2, LO3).

Learning & Teaching Strategy
Weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour seminar.
The lecture will be used for:
• Dissemination of knowledge through an overview of each topic with detailed guidance on appropriate aspects;
• An introduction to relevant academic literature;
• Guidance on learning strategies;
• Use of WebLearn and IT resources;
• Whole group questions and discussion.
The seminar will be used for the development of skills necessary to attain the module learning outcomes through:
• Written and oral questions/answers designed to reinforce fundamental rules, principles and cases;
• A range of step-by-step analytical exercises;
• Problem solving;
• IT tasks, such as research of cases and statutes;
• Legal writing;
• Oral presentation;
• Oral communication;
• Teamwork.

Blended Learning
All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on blackboard for use in directed private study.
Student engagement will be encouraged in both lectures and seminars through weekly use of WebLearn for access to all of the above materials.

There will be required use of the professional legal databases, especially Westlaw and Lexis Library, for legal research.
Opportunities for reflective learning/pdp
Each weekly seminar will contain space for students to reflect on what they have learnt in relation to the overall syllabus. There will be frequent feedback opportunities structured into the timetable and a range of sample answers posted onto WebLearn.

Employability
Employability strategy will aim to acquaint students with a range of employment avenues both in the legal profession and in those professions into which legal qualifications and skills are transferable.

Student’s Study Responsibilities
The need for attendance, punctuality, preparation and engagement will be emphasised with particular reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, team-work, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1, Demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects of the syllabus.

2. Demonstrate the ability critically to discuss case study problems relating to the syllabus, devising and sustaining arguments, and showing appreciation of uncertainties and ambiguities in legal principles and policy.

3. Demonstrate the ability to write critical, discursive essays relating to the topics covered in the syllabus, commenting on current research and primary sources.
 

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/CED50E5D-E8BB-8928-35EB-AB62F4B09962.html

CORE

Lianos, I., Korah, V. and Siciliani, S. (2019) Competition Law Analysis, Cases and Materials, Oxford University Press.
Sufrin, B., Dunne, M. and Jones, A. (2023) Jones & Sufrin's EU Competition Law: Text, Cases & Materials, Oxford University Press.
Wish, R and Bailey, D. (2024) Competition Law, Oxford University Press.

DATABASES
Westlaw Edge UK
Lexis+ UK