Economics for Competition Lawyers

Author: Gunnar Niels; Helen Jenkins; James Kavanagh
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199588510
Published In: April 2011
Format: Paperback
Jurisdiction: U.K. ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

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Written specifically for lawyers in a practical and accessible style which facilitates understanding by non-specialists
Offers coverage of the major topics in competition law: market definition, mergers, state aid, remedies, cartels and cartel damages
Authored by respected economic experts who are well-versed in simplifying complex economic arguments for the courts
Starts with first principles, allowing practitioners to develop their understanding of economics from the ground up
Gives insight into how to get the best from an expert economist in the course of a case
Structured in a modular format for ease of reference

Why, in the context of a damages claim, are competitive industries more likely to pass on cost increases to consumers than less competitive industries? When can a merger or joint venture result in lower prices, even if there are no cost efficiencies? How can it be rational for a network provider to offer its services below cost in the early stages of network development, regardless of whether there are competing networks?

Economics for Competition Lawyers answers all these questions and explains the underlying economic principles most relevant for competition law. An accessible practitioner textbook, written in the tone of an economic expert's report to a high court judge, the book is aimed specifically at competition lawyers, be they solicitors, barristers, in-house counsel, lawyers at government agencies, judges, or students.

Practitioners of competition law worldwide need at least a basic grasp of economics, and some of the most successful competition lawyers are those with a solid foundation in economics. This is not only because the most basic premise of competition law - "competition is good, monopoly is bad' - comes from economic theory, but also because economics provides many of the standard tools now commonly applied in competition investigations, such as the SSNIP test for market definition. Also, the substantive standards applied to mergers and business practices increasingly take account of economic effects on the market, and this requires reference to economic "theories of harm".

This book therefore explains from first principles the economics that underpin market definition, market power/dominance, mergers, and anti-competitive practices, and shows how this knowledge can be applied in competition cases. For example, it goes beyond the standard explanation of the SSNIP test to cover issues such as when and how to define separate markets because of price discrimination. Likewise, on the matter of market shares, the book goes back to first principles to explain in which circumstances it is more appropriate to measure market shares by capacity than by turnover. It uses plain English and real-world examples, not abstruse theory, to explain the key points. It also offers valuable insight into how to best use economics, or economic experts, in the course of a case.

Readership: Legal practitioners working in competition law: solicitors, barristers, in-house counsel, judges; Academics and students, on courses covering competition law; Competition authorities, regulators and policy-makers

1: Introduction

2: Market definition

3: Market power and dominance

4: Merger analysis

5: Cartels, cartel damages and horizontal agreements

6: Vertical restraints and foreclosure

7: Abuse of dominance

8: State aid

9: Using economists in competition cases-best practice and future direction;

Gunnar Niels, Director, Oxera, Helen Jenkins, Managing Director, Oxera, and James Kavanagh, Senior Consultant, Oxera

"The book is very good at solving everyday economic problems facing competition lawyers." - Lilo Locher, European Competition Law Review