Introduction:

Competition law and consumer protection are essential underpinnings of a market economy. Competition law is intended to ensure that the market remains competitive, so that a meaningful range of options is made available to consumers. Competition law rules influence and govern a broad range of corporate practices. For example, competition authorities may take enforcement action against firms, which agree not to compete with each other and secretly fix prices (‘cartels’), or against firms that have the ability to influence market conditions and to exclude equally efficient competitors (Microsoft, Google). Competition authorities also have the power to block mergers and acquisitions that are likely to create market dominance or otherwise harm consumers. Consumer protection laws are intended to ensure that the consumers can effectively exercise choice in the market. They aim to safeguard the economic interests of consumers, empower them with free and informed choice and give them rights when something goes wrong. Consumer protection laws may specify a duty of information, a total prohibition of misleading and aggressive practices, a prohibition of unfair contract terms in certain types of contracts and so on.


This course will offer you an advanced understanding of the interaction between these two different norms governing market regulation and explore their application in the context of digital markets and e-commerce. E-commerce, has become an important feature of economic activity throughout the world. The growth of e-commerce has the potential to increase competition and enhance consumer choice, yet it may also facilitate anticompetitive conduct by firms (e.g. algorithmic collusion), which is reflected in the increasing levels of antitrust enforcement in e-commerce markets. The course will also consider the interaction of competition law and consumer protection with data protection as well as the recent Digital Markets Act. 

Teaching:

Term 1 will introduce you to the main competition law provisions. Term 2 will explore the interaction between competition law and consumer protection in the context of e-commerce. The module will be taught by: a) lectures; b) problem-based classes, where you will be given the opportunity to practice your problem-solving skills; c) tutorials; and d) ‘meet the researcher’ teaching sessions, where you will be introduced to the research of leading UCL scholars in the field of competition law and the work of the UCL Centre for Law, Economics and Society and thus directly draw connections with the themes discussed in the course.

Reading lists and other materials will be provided for students registered on the module via online Moodle information pages.

The only book that reference will be made to throughout the module is I Lianos, V Korah and P Siciliani, Competition Law – Analysis, Cases and Materials (OUP 2019).Assessment:
The module is assessed by means of a 5,000-word summative essay, which will count for 100% of your mark in this module. You will be provided with a list of topics to choose from in Week 9 of the term.

Formative coursework: During the term you will be given the opportunity to prepare a formative essay. While this assignment is not compulsory, you are strongly encouraged to attempt it, since it is an excellent way to practice for the summative essay and receive feedback on your work. The selection of questions will be made available on Moodle. Formative essays must be submitted in Word format and they must not exceed 2,000 words, including footnotes but excluding bibliography.