Content

Six units cover the different substantive and procedural domains : introduction to European competition law (unit 1), cartel cases (unit 2), abuse of dominant position and combined application of Protocol No 27 annexed to the Treaty on the functioning of the EU (the TFEU), Article 4(3) TEU and Articles 101-102 TFEU (unit 3), concentration control (unit 4), state aid (unit 5), and public undertakings and services of general interest (unit 6).
Theory and practice are held to be equally important. From a theoretic perspective, the course aims to structure what might otherwise appear a chaotic multitude of regulations and cases. From a practical viewpoint, the course is built upon the study of real-life or hypothetical cases, inspired by international practice.

Course material

Mandatory reading

1.  Coursebook. (i.e. a reader)
2. You have to be able to use the accompanying Sourcebook: W. DEVROE, P. NIHOUL, A.-M. VAN DEN BOSSCHE, C. VERDURE, Sourcebook on EU Competition Law, Larcier, 2012.

It may from time to time be necessary to consult other provisions, available on internet.

Further reading

No further reading is required. If you want further reading, please consult the Sourcebook or you may read the relevant chapters in P. CRAIG and G. DE BÚRCA, EU Law. Text, Cases and Materials, Oxford University Press.

The Sourcebook includes an extensive and fully up-to-date overview of other relevant books, articles, case law overviews and (law) reviews since 2000. Many of the books listed are available in the library. Apart from this, official information sources, (law) reviews and the Internet all provide much useful information.

Format: more information

Lectures. Typical of the area of competition law is the enormous amount of information that has to be "digested". Dozens of regulations, decisions, guidelines, communications, judgments, ... threaten to baffle those interested in this area of European law (see also the Sourcebook). In order to provide a framework for further study, one lecture a week is given.

Case studies and discussion themes. Participants are expected to prepare class sessions carefully by reading the case studies and discussion themes and addressing the issues raised by them on the basis of the legal provisions, judgments, decisions and/or literature referred to. It is to be noted that not all cases studied are hypothetical : regularly, students will be asked for an in-depth analysis of "real" judgments, or to reconstruct an entire case. The importance of a thorough analysis of the case studies cannot be overstated.

Self-tests. Units typically end with a self-test. Students should take these tests after having read the literature, legal provisions and/or case law indicated. They serve to verify their ready knowledge, to deepen insights or to clarify the practical application of the rules in question. Although the self-tests cannot be dealt with systematically in class, some of the questions might be raised to verify or deepen the knowledge of participants. Generally, the self-tests are most of all intended for purposes of self-study. They should be seen, though, as an integral part of the course.

You find in the Coursebook two assignments. They have to be handed in electronically and will be graded. Modalities will be set out during the lectures and on eleum.