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LAW40360

Academic Year 2026/2027

Advanced Issues in European Competition Law (LAW40360)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Mary Catherine Lucey
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This advanced level module critically examines how EU competition law governs particular actions of private market actors. It considers the rationale behind EU competition law and how this area of law fits in to the EU's economic order and philosophy. It explores and critiques the substantive and institutional dimensions of TFEU Articles 101 (governing, amongst other things, cartels between firms) and 102 (governing abuses of dominant market positions). This module additionally considers the relationship between national and EU competition law, as well as the institutions active in enforcing EU competition law at national and EU levels.

A feminist lens will be applied, at various junctures, to shine a less conventional light on certain aspects (for example market definition) where, traditionally, an economic approach prevailed.

It is important to emphasise that students are expected to study not only the considerable quantity of prescribed materials but, in addition, to engage in researching independently other scholarly sources in order to offer informed insights.

Before choosing this module you should consult the prescribed textbook ( Jones, Sufrin and Dunne, EU Competition Law, 8th edition ) which is available free though UCD library.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion, students should have learned to:1.Understand how to independently research the primary and secondary sources of EU competition law; and 2. Critically discuss cutting edge issues in EU competition law through debate and discussion in class;

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Autonomous Student Learning

200
Total

222

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
A high level of advance preparatory reading of legal texts and judgments is expected. Active and informed contribution to classroom debates is expected.

Most classes will be held face-to-face.

No recordings of classes will be posted in Brightspace.

Students on this module are expected to have read and understood the UCD Academic Integrity Policy and the School Protocol on Academic Integrity. Students must ensure that they comply with all requirements laid down therein and avoid academic misconduct. Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence, or other machine learning technology, in their learning on this module. Because this module is assessed by an unseen, invigilated examination, no formal citation methodology is prescribed.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Admission to this module is restricted to students registered in either the LLM or MSc and who have (or are prepared to acquire by independent study before undertaking the module) knowledge of the EU institutional structure and fundamental principles of EU Law (eg direct effect) governing the interface between EU law and national law.


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
Exam (In-person): Closed book examination paper End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
100
 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
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
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 be posted on Brightspace after all grading is completed

Mandatory textbook.

8th edition of Jones, Sufrin & Dunne, "EU Competition Law: Text Cases and Materials (OUP)
It is available from the UCD library in e-format and hard copy.
Hard copies are widely available for purchase in bookstores or secondhand sources.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 31, 32 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 25, 29, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
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