Competition Law and Economics (LAWS90065)

Competition Law is an area of law with mixed legal-economic content. The central disciplinary underpinning of competition law is economics. It is therefore essential that those practising in this field, whether as legal advisors to business, competition authority staff, or members of tribunals or courts have a solid grounding in the economic theories, concepts and techniques that underpin the policy, law and enforcement in this field.

This foundational subject introduces students to the history and spread of competition law across the world over the last century and to the range of objectives, influenced by various economic schools of thought, that have informed its development in different places and at different times. It ensures that students are well-versed in core economic vocabulary, concepts and frameworks and the ways in which they are translated into categories of legal prohibitions and enforcement approaches, common to all competition systems.

The subject sets the foundation for the course, providing crucial groundwork that will equip students to confidently tackle the economic content of the remaining subjects in greater detail. While the subject includes material with basic numerical equations, examples and diagrams, it does not require students to have advanced mathematical or statistical background knowledge or skills.

Highlights of the subject include:

• Practical application of economic concepts and techniques through problem-based learning activity; and
• Expositions and insights from leading economists and practitioners on various aspects of economics and the role of economists in competition law and practice.

 

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Important information about this Subject

This subject is a pre-requisite for some competition and consumer subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters. We recommend students enrol in this subject when they first start their program of study. 

Students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must also complete Fundamentals of the Common Law (LAWS70217). It is strongly recommended this subject be taken towards the start of the course.

 

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Important note on delivery

The teaching and learning activities in LAWS90065 Competition Law and Economics run online across an 8-week extended study period.

This subject will primarily feature asynchronous online learning activities, including discussion boards. In addition, there will be 2-3 essential live online classes delivered by the subject coordinator.

Make sure to check LMS Canvas for the latest information on the subject schedule, webinars and discussion board activities.