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Australian Merger Law (LAWS90287)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
July
Lecturer
Rhonda Smith (Coordinator)
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | July - Online |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the legal rules and economic principles underpinning the review of mergers and acquisitions in Australia. Around the world merger law is topical, with concerns about increased concentration and acquisition of potential start-up competitors, particularly in the fast-evolving digital space. In this subject you will examine how the competitive effects of different types of mergers are assessed in Australia, including the circumstances in which mergers may be authorised. We will examine the processes involved in merger review, as well as the penalties for contravention. The subject will also examine proposals for reform of Australia’s merger review laws and processes. As the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) continues to advocate for substantial changes to our nation's merger laws, this subject presents a unique opportunity to delve into the nuances of Australian merger law's current and potential future application.
Principal topics will include:
- Merger law and processes
- The economics and analysis of horizontal, vertical, conglomerate and digital mergers and ecosystems
- Authorisation of mergers in Australia and other merger remedies Merger reform proposals
- Merger reform proposals
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject should be able to
- Analyse and explain the key characteristics of Section 50 of the Competition and Consumer Act, as well as alternatives to Section 50 for addressing mergers
- Identify and discuss the factors which are the basis for determining whether a merger substantially lessens competition
- Critically discuss the basis on which penalties would be awarded in cases of contravention of Australian merger law
- Deploy the practical skills and competencies required in assessing a merger under Australian merger law
Generic skills
- Sophisticated ability to evaluate and synthesise existing knowledge in the area of Australian merger law.
- Substantial capacity to communicate complex ideas, orally and in writing to specialist and non-specialist groups.
- Identify and apply relevant information, concepts and theories in the field of Australian merger law.
- Highly developed problem-solving abilities, including through the collection and evaluation of information applying interdisciplinary sources and perspectives to Australian merger law.
- Highly developed capacity for self-directed learning, organisation and time management.
- Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the complex body of knowledge relevant to the field of Australian merger law, including the economic theories, policies and principles that underpin and influence policy and law in this field.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS90065 | Foundations: Competition Law & Economics |
July (Online)
January (Online)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Class Participation | Throughout the teaching period | 20% |
Written Assignment
| Due the beginning of Week 5 | 30% |
Practical Assessment - Merger Proposal
| 2 Weeks after the end of teaching | 50% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- July - Online
Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 15 July 2024 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to the Reading Guide on the LMS subject page for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 15 September 2024 Last self-enrol date 16 July 2024 Census date 2 August 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 30 August 2024 Assessment period ends 22 September 2024 July contact information
Lecturer
Rhonda Smith (Coordinator)
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students.
Enrolment is on a 'first in' basis. Waitlists are maintained for subjects that are fully subscribed.
Students should note priority of waitlisted places in subjects will be given as follows:
- To currently enrolled Graduate Diploma and Masters students with a satisfactory record in their degree
- To other students enrolling on a single subject basis, eg Community Access Program (CAP) students, cross-institutional study and cross-faculty study.
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist materials will be made available via the LMS in the pre-teaching period.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-masters@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024