Download Competition Law - Exam 2003 - Law and more Exams Competition Law and Policy in PDF only on Docsity! UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON University of London EXAMINATION FOR INTERNAL STUDENTS For The Following Qualification:- LL.B. LL.B. Part lh Competit ion Law COURSE CODE : LAWSI125 DATE : 15-MAY-03 TIME : 14.30 TIME ALLOWED : 2 Hours 15 Minutes 03-N0176-3-70 © 2003 University College London TURN OVER COMPETITION LAW Answer THREE questions. . To what extent wilt EC and UK competition law arrive at the same results when applied to a given fact situation? Does it matter if they sometimes differ in their conclusions? . "The EC Merger Regulation has been of great value in reducing the burden upon business resulting from the need to notify concentrations in multiple jurisdictions. The Commission's proposed amendments to it have been carefully designed to preserve this strength." Discuss. . What are the costs and benefits of abolishing the European Commission's exclusive competence to exempt agreements pursuant to Article 81(3) EC? Have the costs been adequately addressed by Regulation 1/2003? . Identify in what circumstances it is necessary, when applying EC competition law, to arrive at a detailed definition of the reIevant market. Critically assess the European Commission's approach to market definition. . What modifications, if any, are necessary to the powers available to the European Commission and the OFT for investigating and punishing those involved in cartels? . A, B, C, D and E are the only UK producers of widgets. Imports of widgets to the UK are negligible, owing to high transportation costs. The market shares of A, B, C, D and E vary between 15 and 25%. Over the last five years, the price of v¢idgets has risen consistently by at least twice the rate of inflation. All of the UK producers of widgets beIong to a trade association, and meet every three months to discuss market developments. It is also common practice in the industry for producers to publish any alteration to their price lists at least a month in advance of its taking effect. Widgets are an essential input in the manufacture of blodgets. F is the principaI manufacturer of blodgets in the UK, and has become increasingly concerned at the rising price of widgets. It has approached each of the UK widget producers and attempted to negotiate individual discounts, but without success. It has also learnt that A recently purchased a 30% stake in B, and fears that this acquisition will further undermine competition in the widget market. Advise F as to whether A, B, C, D or E has breached EC and/or UK competition Iaw, and as to what actions F should take. TURN OVER
