/Notices/MRU and the CCLE conduct a joint course on Foundational Competition Law and Economics

MRU and the CCLE conduct a joint course on Foundational Competition Law and Economics

ABOUT THE COURSE:

Manav Rachna University and the Centre for Competition Law and Economics are conducting a foundational course on Indian Competition Law and Economics for 15 hours where the aim of the curriculum is to apprise the participants of the basic legal and economic framework of the Indian competition. The course is designed in a manner so that it covers all the three substantive provisions of the law, i.e. anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position and merger control. There are a couple of sessions on the law and economics framework and enforcement aspect as well, in order to inform the participants with various aspects of the law and form a holistic approach. The course would be an ideal take for the candidates who are either planning to begin their career in the field of law and economics, or are at the mid-career level stage. The course would also lay foundation for academicians who are willing to take long-term research in the said field and explore potential career opportunities.

ABOUT THE ORGANISATIONS:

Manav Rachna University (MRU) is a State Private University (established by Haryana State Legislature Act No 26 of 2014 & under section 2(f) of UGC Act 1956) and has evolved from Manav Rachna College of Engineering (MRCE, established in 2004), a NAAC Accredited ‘A’ Grade Institution. It is ranked 10th among all the private engineering institutes of the country and 29th among all engineering institutes across the country including IITs and NITs by The Times Engineering Survey. MRU has been bestowed with QS I-Gauge Gold rating and the QS I-Gauge Diamond for Employability and Facilities. Manav Rachna University (MRU) is the founder member of the prestigious “College Board’s Indian Global Higher Education Alliance”. MRU comprises Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Law, and Faculty of Management and Humanities.

CCLE is a research organization working in the field of competition law and economics. The Centre publishes research reports, conducts training activities and assists litigating parties at competition fora across the country to advocate consistent interpretation of the Indian competition law. The Centre regularly collaborates with national law universities and other non-profit organizations to organize seminars, conferences and workshops for the relevant stakeholders to generate capacity in the said field based on mutual interest.

DETAILS OF THE COURSE:

The foundational course on Indian competition law and economics is run by Manav Rachna University in collaboration with the Centre. The aim of the course is to train working professionals, governmental officials and other interested participants in the field of competition law and economics. There are total 15 hours of classes spanned over a period of two weeks on weekdays in the evening (5-7 PM). In all, there would be 15 sessions of one hour each.

Some of the faculties in the course include:

1. Mr. Rudresh Singh, Partner, Luthra & Luthra

2. Dr. Versha Vahini, Professor of Law, Manav Rachna University

3. Mr. Anshuman Sakle, Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

4. Ms. Deeksha Manchanda, Partner, Chandhiok & Mahajan

5. Dr. Abha Yadav, Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs

6. Mr. Praveen Tripathi, Assistant Professor of Law, Bennett University

7. Mr. Avinash Amarnath, Counsel, Chandhiok & Mahajan

8. Ms. Nikita Koradia, Assistant Professor of Law, Nirma University

9. Mr. Shobhit Mohan, Assistant Professor, Manav Rachna University

10. Mr. Sumit Jain, Resident Fellow, CCLE

There are, in total, six units in the course. A brief description for each of the unit is given below. The participants would be provided modules for each of the unit.

1. Introduction to competition economics – This module orients the participants towards the origin and genesis of competition laws across the globe. The history of the current Indian legislation, i.e. the Competition Act, 2002, would be traced along with its impact on overall regulatory framework and public policy of the Indian state.

2. Anti-competitive Agreements - Anti-competitive Agreements (ACA) is one of the three substantive provisions of the Indian competition law. The participants here would be exposed to the definition of ‘agreement’ and which type of conduct is impermissible under the law. This would cover horizontal agreements (cartels), vertical agreements and the overlap between competition laws and IPR. A brief discussion would also be held on the penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India in recent orders on Maruti Suzuki and beer manufacturing companies.

3. Abuse of Dominance – Abuse of dominant position, or unilateral conduct, is another substantive provision under the Indian competition law. The participants would be exposed to the concept of ‘relevant market’, ‘substitutability’ and the factors affecting dominance of an economic entity after the relevant market is defined. The thrust of this unit would be identify the conduct which constitutes as abuse of dominant position both in terms of the pricing, and terms and conditions, imposed by the dominant entity.

4. Mergers and Acquisitions – This unit would focus on the competition concerns arising out of various mergers and acquisitions happening in the Indian economy. The competition regulators across the globe have to maintain a balance between the efficiencies arising out of such mergers on one hand, and keeping a check on the concentration of market power due to these on the other. The participants would be exposed to overall merger jurisprudence through case-law method and the factors based on which a merger is assessed. The Indian regulator had recently incorporated ‘Green Channel’ for the acquiring entities under Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) on which a brief discussion would be held.

5. Enforcement tools – The genesis of the current Indian competition law majorly lies in the European Union (EU). The nature and structure of the current Indian legislation is very much drawn from the EU, even though the national competition authorities pay equal reliance on the US jurisprudence while deciding questions of law. Through this unit, the participants would be exposed to the substantive US antitrust and European competition law and its possible interfaces with the Indian law. The participants would also be exposed to various leniency programmes run in these jurisdictions like commitment and settlement scheme, amnesty programme et al.

6. Competition Law and Indian Constitution – Indian competition law ultimately derives its authority from the constitution. The participants would be exposed to the origin of Indian competition authority and its nature as a regulator through parliamentary committee reports. A brief discussion would also be held on the involved rights of various litigating parties at various competition forums.

IMPORTANT DATES:

1st February, 2022 - Registrations start

12th February, 2022 - Last day to register

14th February, 2022 - Commencement of classes

24th February, 2022 - End of classes

25th February, 2022 - Assessment

28th February, 2022 - Certification

COURSE FEE:

The overall course fee for the participants is INR 7,000/- (including registration fee of INR 500/-).

TOTAL NUMBER OF SLOTS:

Limited slots are available. The admissions would be done on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The flyer for the course can be found here.

Link for registration is here.

The brochure can be found here.

For any further queries, please feel free to reach out to Mr. Shobhit Mohan at +91 79828 53420. He can be also be reached out at shobhit@mru.edu.in.