JUS5310 – EU Competition Law

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 study the interrelation between Law and economics, since these legal norms often are based on economic theory.

Students need no former knowledge of EU Law before taking this course, but it may require some additional reading.

Students are expected to take an active part in the course since the emphasis is placed upon seminars and discussion groups rather than formal lectures. Students must also be prepared to give presentations to the rest of the group.

For students enrolled in Rettsvitenskap (jus) (master – 5 år): Have you considered a specialization as part of your degree? The course is part of the profile Marked, innovasjon og konkurranse.

This subject is taught at Master 's level. The subject is also taught at Bachelor's level (10 ECTS credits), see JUR1310 – EU Competition Law (BA).

Learning outcome

See learning outcome for JUS5310

Admission to the course

You may register for this course if you have admission to a Master’s programme at UiO or the faculty's exchange programme and meet the formal prerequisites.

Have you met the formal prerequisites at another institution than the University of Oslo, and the results are not formally registered at UiO, you must apply for admission to courses at Master’s level (information in Norwegian only). Students with admission to Master’s degree programmes at other faculties than The Faculty of Law must also apply for admission.

All students are required to meet the formal prerequisites.

When your admission is in order you must register for courses in StudentWeb.

Special admission requirements

Students must fill one of these requirements:

• Passed 1st - 3rd year of the 5-years degree Master of Laws (Master i rettsvitenskap at UiO) (or exams that qualify for exemption for these) or
• Hold a 5-years Master’s degree in Laws (Master i rettsvitenskap at UiO) or equivalent.

Exemptions from the formal prerequisites will be given to students with admission to the faculty`s own exchange or master’s degree programmes. This rule does not apply to students with admission to other master’s degree programmes at the University of Oslo, unless otherwise agreed.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with JUR5310 – EC Competition Law (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with JUR1310 – EU Competition Law (BA).
• 10 credits overlap with JUR5290 – Konkurranserett (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with JUR1290 – Konkurranserett (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with VALECOMP – EC Competition Law (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with JUTECOMP – EC Competition Law (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with VALKONK – Konkurranserett (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with JUXKONK – Konkurranserett (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with JUS5290 – Konkurranserett (discontinued).

Teaching

Lectures/seminars

Language of teaching for this course is English. This means that all communication during lectures/seminars will be in English, and all literature and materials are in English.

Examination

Students are graded on the basis of a 24 hour written home exam.

You submit your answer in the exam system Inspera. Read about how to submit your answer.

Maximum length for written home exam on master’s level is 3000 words  and 2000 words on bachelor's level. Front page, contents page (optional) and bibliography are not included. If footnotes are used in the text (at the bottom of each page), they are included in the word limit. 

Papers that exceed the  word limit will be rejected, and not sent to grading.

You must familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to exam support materials, and the use of sources and citations. If you violate these rules, you may be suspected of cheating or attempted cheating. You can read about what the university considers cheating, and the consequences of cheating here.

Previous exam papers

Examination support material

All available exam resources are allowed when answering this exam. Rules for source referencing are crucial for determining whether the use of resources is permitted.

Your exam paper must be an independent work. Exam candidates are not permitted to communicate with other persons about the exam question(s) or distribute draft answers or exam answers.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Guide on grading of elective courses, for examiners.

Resit an examination

• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Resitting an examination.
• There are special rules for resitting a passed examination in the master`s programme in Law.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.