Economic Law

Code:

D306

Acronym:

DE

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Legal Sciences

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S (since 15-09-2025 to 19-12-2025)

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Law

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LDB	176	Novo Plano Oficial do ano letivo 2016	3	-	6	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The aim of the Economic Law course is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the constitutional and institutional foundations of state intervention in the economy, with a particular focus on regulation and the essential principles and regulatory mechanisms inherent in the European social market economy model. After an introduction to the main concepts, paradigms and essential principles, the course is dedicated to the study of Competition Law in the light of national and European rules. In both cases, the main principles are updated in the light of contemporary challenges related to the dual transition (green and digital).

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of the course unit, students should be able to:

• Understand the evolution of state intervention in the economy and its different paradigms, with a focus on regulation;


• Mobilise the essential principles of the Portuguese Economic Constitution, knowing how to identify, based on them, the foundations of the economic model cherished by the Portuguese Constitution and the rules of the Treaties;


• Know the main concepts and institutes of Competition Law;


• Apply the relevant rules to practical cases;


• Critically discuss new challenges to state intervention in the economy, to the behaviour of companies in the market and to consumer protection.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Not applicable.

Program

Part I - Foundations of Economic Law

1. Introduction to Economic Law: object, method and sources


2. Historical periodisation of state intervention in the economy and different forms and modalities of this intervention.


3. Regulation of the economy: general issues and some examples of sectoral regulation.


4. First approach to Competition Law: aims and relationship with the Portuguese and European Economic Constitution.


5. The Portuguese Economic Constitution: principles and fundamental rights.


6. The European social market economy model and new paradigms: digital transition, sustainability, competitiveness.

Part II - Competition Regulation

1. Regulatory and institutional framework


2. Essential notions: undertaking and relevant market


3. Restrictive practices: horizontal and vertical agreements, abuse of dominant position


4. New challenges: dual transition, with a particular focus on digital issues

Mandatory literature

João Pacheco de Amorim; Direito administrativo da economia
António Carlos dos Santos; Direito económico. ISBN: 978-972-40-5536-7
Luiz Cabral de Moncada; Direito da Regulação Económica, 2024
João Pateira Ferreira; Manual de regulação e concorrência. ISBN: 9789894017158
José Sá Reis; Direito da Concorrência, 2024 ((general guidelines provided by the teacher))
Miguel Moura e Silva; Direito da concorrência. ISBN: 978-972-629-185-5
Carlos Botelho Moniz; Lei da concorrência anotada. ISBN: 978-972-40-5990-7
Manuel Porto; Lei da concorrência. ISBN: 978-972-40-7192-3
Alison Jones; EU competition law. ISBN: 978-0-19-872342-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

Subjects will be taught in theoretical lectures; practical classes are aimed at the discussion of some specific issues and students' doubts.
All classes are in portuguese.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	50,00
Estudo autónomo	50,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Not applicable

Calculation formula of final grade

For students who opt for the distributed assessment system, the final mark for the course unit is the average of the marks obtained in the two written tests, with the 1st test having a weighting of 40 per cent and the 2nd test having a weighting of 60 per cent.
Important: a mark of less than 8 in either test will result in failure of the course unit, even if the average of the two tests is positive (in the latter case, the final mark will always be 9).

As an alternative to this form of distributed assessment without a final exam, students can always opt for assessment by final exam, under the terms of articles 12 et seq. of the RAC, with the grade for the course unit corresponding to that obtained in the final exam.
Important: opting for distributed assessment and appearing for the 1st test (even if you give up during the test) implies that the student has given up the normal season exam.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

General regulations apply.

Classification improvement

General regulations apply.