Course content

The course examines the competition rules of the European Union; particularly the competition rules concerning undertakings in Articles 101-106 TFEU.

Competition law is the rules which regulate private firms` market conduct, in order to prevent anti-competitive effects on the markets and thereby to maintain efficient competition. Competition law contains three "pillars": prohibition of anti-competitive agreements (the "cartel prohibition"), prohibition of abuse of market power (the "abuse prohibition") and regulation of mergers and take-overs ("Merger Control"). These rules are supplemented both by other Treaty provisions as well as secondary legislation. The rules are of great significance since any firm may be subject to heavy fines and/or liability for damages if infringing them. The maximum fine for infringement may be as high as 10% of a firm`s annual turnover.

The European Commission plays an active part in enforcing the competition rules, and a study of Competition Law is therefore also a study of EU Administrative Law. This area of Law also gives the student a good opportunity to