The programme
This course will introduce the intricacies of competition law enforcement in a complex economy. It will introduce the major public policy issues that competition authorities around the world have grappled with, and these will be examinedÌýthrough several case studies.Ìý
First, the course will explore the ways in which the law has evolved to consider the impact of new technologies on economic activity and tackle business practices such as mergers, unilateral conduct, and cooperative business practices, all of which raise competition concerns.ÌýEmphasis will be placed on the role of new parameters of competition, in addition to the traditional focus on prices and output, such as innovation, sustainability andÌýprivacy. We will draw on practice examples from different legal systems of competition law (EU, US, BRICS) on competition enforcement in these keyÌýareas:Ìý
- Big Tech platforms and digital ecosystems
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- Agritech sectors
- Creative industries; andÌý
- Other economic sectors
Second, the course will explore the current state of economic and public policy knowledge, the different views put forward and reflect on the intellectual underpinnings of policy assessments.
Third, the course introduces computational competition law and economics and explores its role inÌýcompetition law enforcement. This is examinedÌýby presenting the various ways technology hasÌýbeen used and can be used to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of competition law enforcement.
This is not a traditional executive education course detailing recent developments in the law. The aim is to ensure a more pluralist perspective on competition law enforcement, by exposing participants’ to different perspectives and therefore enabling them to develop a critical understanding of the broader socio-economic context of competition law enforcement.
Our teaching team brings a wealth of experience from academia and practice, including as guest speakers former and actual competition authority officials, and economic and legal practitioners who have played an important role in handling or in consulting in key cases in major jurisdictions (US, EU, BRICS+).
Who is this course for?
This course will appeal to policy-makers and competition authorities’ officials as well as lawyers, economic consultants and data scientists involved in competition law enforcement in the public or the private sector.
Confirmed participants include staff from the following competition authorities: CMA, Belgian Competition Authority, CADE, Fiscalia - Chile, Competition Council of Morocco andÌýACM.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, students will:
- Be able to critically analyse the existing principles, tools and methodologies of competition law enforcement and apply them to cases
- Develop an advanced knowledge of the various policy sciences implemented in the context of competition cases and engage with a pluralist perspective on competition law enforcementÌý
- Critically engage with the dynamic application of competition law to different technological settings, in particular digital ecosystems
- Develop knowledge on computational competition law and economicsÌý
- Develop a critical understanding of the way the modern digital economy works and is regulatedÌý
Content
- Key topics
Day One
- State of play of competition law enforcement: the key issues of the past year Ìý
- The law and economics of competition in digitalÌýecosystems I
- Case studies on digital antitrust  Ìý
- The role of economics and economists in competition law enforcement  Ìý
Day Two
- The law and economics of competition in digitalÌýecosystems IIÌý
- Case studies on abuse of dominant position (exclusionary conduct)
- Big Data, AI and theÌýnew EU Digital regulation (DMA, DSA, Data Act, AI Act):Ìýinteractions with competition law
- Evening Discussion: Major developments in the private enforcement of competition law (focus UK and the EU)
Day Three
- "Polycrisis" and competition law
- Sustainability concerns in competition law enforcement (focus on sustainability agreements)
- Competition law enforcement in Agriculture and Global Food Value Chains
- Case studies on anticompetitive conduct- focus on exploitative conduct
- Innovation concerns in merger control
- Evening Discussion: Judicial scrutiny of mergers and innovation theories of harm
Day Four
- Introduction to computational competition law and economics
- Competition law and policy in the era of AI
- Discussion: Integrating data science in competition law enforcement: principles, institutions and application (including evidence gathering and analysis)
- Course structure and assessments
Delegates will receive four hours of lectures/ seminars each day. There will thereforeÌýbe a total of 16 hours of classroom teaching over the four days. There will be no assessment but delegatesÌýwill receive a certificate of completion provided that they attend at least 12 hours (75%) of classes. Ìý
Teaching staff
- Ìý(°ä´Ç²Ô±¹±ð²Ô±ð°ù)
- Guest speaker
- Guest speaker
- Guest speaker
- Other guest speakers from competition authorities, the judiciary and academiaÌý
Fees
The fees for this course are £3250. We offer discounts* for the following:
- 20% discount for Â鶹´«Ã½ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ students, staff and alumni
- 15% discount for delegates from non-commercial sectorsÌý
- 15% discount to commercial organisations that send three or more delegates
- 15% discount for those currently not in work
*discounts can only be applied once if any of the above apply.