European Competition Law

Competition law in Europe has evolved under perhaps the richest and most complex economic circumstances in the late 20th century world. It has been compelled to become regional and even global while remaining fully responsive to each of its member states. Because the intricate web it has woven lies at a major nexus of world trade, its effects are felt in every corner of economic activity worldwide, and it must be understood and taken into account by corporate counsel and business law teachers and students everywhere. This new resource responds to the need for a detailed and comprehensive analysis that covers theory and practice, public and private enterprise, rules and procedures, disputes and jurisprudence. With numerous case studies from the entire history of the EC, European Community Law analyzes all the EC Treaty provisions relating to competition, as well as their superstructure of regulations and directives. In addition to analyzing the provisions on restrictive agreements, dominant positions, and merger control - and the procedures for implementing them at the Community and national levels - the authors examine the extent to which member states may intervene in the economy by restricting competition, operating national monopolies or granting aid to individual firms. In the course of their analysis, Waelbroeck and Frignani offer in-depth commentary on the policies and procedures of the European Commission and on the views of the European Court of Justice.