International & Comparative Competition Law

Competition/antitrust law plays a significant role in the economy of individual countries and their welfare. At the same time, it has an enormous impact on the ways in which companies and other entities, including multinational corporations, conduct their businesses. It also impacts consumers. For instance, anticompetitive behaviour leads to higher prices and less innovation and services for consumers.

This course analyses and compares competition/ antitrust law regimes in the United States of America, the European Union and Australia and explores, among other things, internationally significant cases, in particular, global cartels; and global current issues such as the role of platforms and algorithms in competition. It begins with an analysis of legal and economic concepts of competition law and continues with a comparative examination of specific issues and selected significant areas of competition/antitrust law.

The course seeks to develop students’ awareness and build their knowledge of competition (antitrust) law in three different and significant jurisdictions and develop their ability to compare and solve competition law problems at both the national and international levels. It also provides students with an understanding of current, global competition-law issues, such as the way firms have been conducting their businesses and competing in the digital age, and the limitations of international and bilateral cooperation in competition-law investigations.

International & Comparative Competition Law is designed for lawyers and other professionals interested in competition (antitrust) law. Successful completion of the course should provide students with the skills to critically evaluate and identify the positives and negatives of any competition law regime and the ability to compare and solve competition law problems at both national and international level.