INTRODUCTION 

This module introduces learners to Competition Law. Competition (or antitrust) law is an exciting area of law, working at the confluence of law and economics; its purpose is to protect the process of competition in a free market economy. The module therefore aims to equip students with knowledge on the sources of Competition Law. It reveals the contents of the legal principles and norms, specific institutions of competition law. It identifies and assess the forms of cooperation of competition supervision authorities. It critically analyses the legal norms and their application in practical situations. It analyses case-law and extra-judicial practice. Competition is ordinarily a beneficial process, because when firms compete for customers, they are encouraged to produce the best quality products (or services) at the minimum price, which is good for consumers.

OBJECTIVES 

The objectives of the module are:

• To give learners the foundational sources of competition law.
• To analyze key concepts of competition law, economics, and policy.
• To highlight the evolution of competition law from leading cases to most recent developments in the field.
• To critically examine the Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2010.
• To examine and explain the main principles concerning the merger control, identifying the challenges regulators/businesses face.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of competition law and its foundations.
• Know and explain the relevant economic and political theories that govern competition law in Zambia in regard to assessment of market structure and business behavior.
• Know and explain the policy considerations that underlie competition laws in Zambia and other jurisdictions.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate competition laws in an application to the regulator.
• Know and explain the appropriate enforcement powers that might be used by the regulator against businesses found breaching Zambian competition law.

UNIT 1 – CONSUMERS AND THEIR BEHAVIOUR ON THE MARKET

UNIT 2 – RESTRICTIVE BUSINESS & ANTI-COMPETITION TRADE PRACTICES

UNIT – MERGERS & TAKE-OVERS

UNIT 4 – MARKET INQUIRIES

UNIT 5 – CONSUMER PROTECTION

UNIT 6 – CONSUMER PROTECTION MECHANISMS  

 

RECOMMENDED READING

A. Jones and B. Sufrin (2016)(6^th edn). EU Competition Law Text, Cases, and Materials. Oxford: Oxford University Press

R. Whish and D. Bailey. (2015)(8^th edn). Competition Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press
S.M. Colino. (2011)(7^th edn). Competition Law of the EU and the UK. Oxford: Oxford University Press
S. Bishop and M. Walker. (2010)(3^rd edn). The Economics of Competition Law. London: Sweet and Maxwell

STATUTES – The Competition and Consumer Protection ACT, 2010