PART 1

The aim of this part of the course (10 hours) is to show how consumer protection policy contributes to European integration, with its strengths and weaknesses.

For each topic covered, European consumer law provisions will be linked to a central theme of EU law.

The course is organized around:

- 2 sessions presenting the different topics 

- 1 session to present your work (Thursday): for each topic covered, you will work in a small group on presenting a reverse case study (see methodology in the attachment) in English, in the form of a PowerPoint presentation; after our discussions, you will have the opportunity to submit a revised version; you will be assessed on your oral and written performance.

List of topics:

1. The application of primary European law in consumer law relations

2. The horizontal and vertical effect of European directives in consumer law relations

3. The uniform interpretation of European law in consumer law relations

4. The margin of implementation given to Member States by European law in consumer law relations

List of the main consumer protection policies associated with each of these topics:

1. Consumer protection and freedom of movement and other fundamental rights

2. Consumer protection and the fight against unfair terms

3. Consumer protection and the fight against unfair commercial practices

4. Consumer protection and liability for defective products

PART 2

- Introduction: the US case and its specificities

- History of European competition policy

- Member States

- EU

- State aid framework

- The economic purpose

- The legal framework

o    Merger control

o    Coordinated practices

- Unilateral practices

- Damages to competition

- Damages to business partners

- Damages to consumer sovereignty

o    Specific case of digital markets (opening up to the Digital Markets Regulation, the Digital Services Regulation and the Platform to Business Regulation)

o    Introduction to the Foreign Subsidies Regulation

Reverse case studies (oral presentation and PPT)

Competition case analysis