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LAW30640

Academic Year 2026/2027

Competition Law in Practice (LAW30640)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Imelda Maher
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module explores international merger control. First, the key principles and rules of merger control are analysed. These rules are then applied to a hypothetical merger scenario in the tech sector, with the class exploring all aspects, from the substantive analysis of transactions, to procedure, to multi-jurisdictional coordination, to the practical aspects of dealing with clients, regulators, and the assorted third-parties that inevitability appear in a high-profile deal.
The module is for those interested in how large mergers play out in practice. Students will be expected to come to class having done any prescribed reading. Attendance is important as there is no textbook for the module.
The module will be taught by adjunct professor, Ronan Harty, formerly antitrust law partner in a leading New York law firm, and Prof Imelda Maher.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion, diligent students should be able to:
1. critically analyse key concepts and rules for merger control
2. independently research primary and secondary sources of competition law
3. analyse judgments and decisions from a practical perspective, and
4. analyse the challenges and solutions of large merger deals.

Indicative Module Content:

This module will introduce key concepts in competition law with a focus on merger control including:
EU merger law
US merger law
Jurisdictional rules on mergers
Multi-jurisdictional coordination of large mergers
Substantive tests
Procedural rules and practices
Engagement between practitioners and competition agencies

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Competent

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Competent

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Advanced Beginner

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Competent

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Competent

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Advanced Beginner

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Advanced Beginner

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Competent

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Advanced Beginner

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Advanced Beginner

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

125
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Total

147

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is problem-based learning with a mix of the lecturers setting out the issues and then active classroom work so there will be plenty of small group work.
The main focus is the "real-world" context of problem-solving i.e. hypotheticals based on international mergers which will be presented and discussed in class.
The problems are then used so you gain both knowledge and problem-solving skills; and
This is all underpined by a mix of some lecturing and through self-directed learning (i.e. the readings you will be given)

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Law 20340 EU Economic Law

Learning Recommendations:

.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: As this module is problem-based learning with small groups working together, students will be expected to participate in the groups through discussion/debate. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): A short assignment will be given to make sure key concepts from the first three weeks are understood so they can then be effectively applied in the rest of the semester. UCD AI traffic light Amber. Week 4 Graded No
10
 No
Group Work Assignment: Small group take on roles as 'lawyers' presenting arguments to 'regulators' who in turn probe and question. Assessment combines presentations and written reports. UCD AI Traffic Light: amber. Week 12 Graded No
40
 No
Group Work Assignment: Group report setting out e.g. arguments for the following week/exploring likely argument depending on roles. Written work submitted a week before presentations. UCD Traffic light: Amber Week 11 Graded No
40
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Written feedback will posted on Brightspace after all grading is completed

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 16:00 - 17:50
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