MEES Option European Law and Economic Analysis

An option for students of the Legal Studies Programme and the Economic Studies Programme in Bruges.

EU Competition Policy and Market Regulation

Interaction and interdependence between the disciplines of Economics and Law in the areas of competition policy and market regulation are frequent and multi-faceted. Lawyers profit from a knowledge of the economic impact of legal rules and economists benefit from an understanding of the institutional and legal framework in such areas as competition policy, regulation of network industries and risk regulation. Economic analysis of European law already contributes significantly to policy-making in the EU and has become a necessary component in several areas of case-law of the Union.

The ELEA option adds value to the current curricula of both lawyers and economists through a deeper knowledge and understanding of the other discipline. The purpose is not to transform lawyers into economists, or vice versa. The option enables them to ‘interconnect’ more easily, and will thus be directly useful for their later work in fields such as competition policy, EU regulation and liberalisation initiatives or network markets.

Why choose the ELEA option?

• As a law student, in order to gain a deeper insight into the economic underpinnings of European law.
• As an economics student, in order to acquire a better understanding of legal concepts through a case-based approach.
• Unique opportunity to closely interact with people from a different academic background and to apply a combined legal and economic approach towards highly topical issues in the areas of competition and regulation.
• Students graduate in their respective department and receive a diploma supplement with the mention 'Option: European Law and Economic Analysis’.

Directors of the programme: Inge GOVAERE (LAW) and Phedon NICOLAIDES (ECO)
Academic Assistant:  Joanna HORNIK
Secretaries: Valérie HAUSPIE (LAW) and Jessie MOERMAN (ECO)