Competition Law and International Trade Policy

Course Description

The course introduces the substantive provisions of competition law, the methodology of investigation and enforcement; case law from various jurisdictions, including the USA, Europe, South Africa, Jamaica and Barbados among others, is used to reinforce understanding of the law, and to illustrate differences in substance and interpretations across jurisdictions. The lack of competition law at the international level, the difficulties of young competition authorities to have any clout in the international arena, and the specific ways of dealing with cross border anti-competitive conduct are discussed. In particular, competition provisions in regional and bi-lateral trade agreements, and in bi-lateral cooperation agreements are examined with the aim of preparing students for negotiating such agreements. Finally, voluntary cooperation modalities are reviewed, as they are the most successful way of diffusing conflicts over cross-border anticompetitive conducts, and also, helping young competition authorities.